EDITORIAL
A muzzled and shackled watch dog.
Happy Republic Day. Probably the best festival of all, and a day that should be celebrated with pride but also with a little introspection. India became a Republic with a great deal of idealism, optimism and happiness. She had struggled for her freedom and while partition was bitter she reveled in her independence and the conviction that she would grow to lead the world. But there is a flip side to her story of success and growth, and unfortunately that side affects the majority of her population that continue to live in poverty and oppression. This time there is little cause for cheer as the shining India has completely forgotten those who have grown old waiting for the dream to happen, and who look ahead with no hope and no dreams. The slums of Mumbai, the beggars of Delhi, the villages without drinking water and electricity, the children without access to education, the women without access to doctors and medicines, the youth without access to jobs---it is a frightening story and makes the lights on this national festival day dim when they should be burning bright. In the midst of all this the media that should have been in place to report the stories, to expose corruption, to check the governments from authoritarianism is crumbling. Today in Delhi alone hundreds of journalists are on the roads scrambling for jobs. Even as Padma Bhushan's are conferred on journalists by the government ---amazing as a journalist should be the last person to receive awards from governments who should actually be terrified of his or her existence----the corporate houses affected by the financial meltdown have closed the doors on any number of scribes without warning. Journalists with decades of experience arrived at their offices to find that they had been sacked, and guards prevented them from going inside to even collect their belongings. They had to quietly retreat, not even sure whether they will be paid their dues at all.
There was a time when the management quaked before the reporters, and while exploitation is an age old story, the powerful journalists trade unions ensured a level playing field and prevented the owners from sacking and humiliating journalists. And instead of fighting to keep the trade unions, we joined the management and the governments to attack these unions and to happily accept fatter pay checks as contract labour and not as permanent employees. We joined the corporate houses in pandering to the wishes of the governments and attacking each other in a bid to join the exclusive club of official government stenographers. We frowned on those who exposed the government, we embraced those who embraced the government, and we became gradually but surely our own worst enemies.
On this Republic Day the lights will glow if at least the press is able to come together, to form a vibrant union, to insist on good terms and conditions of employment, and to demand the freedom and the space to write the truth. Unfortunately, there is no sign of that as yet but then perhaps the year will bring new hope, and a new realization that India cannot survive as a democracy if its watch dog is muzzled and shackled to a point where the thieves walk in and walk out unchallenged.
Do keep in touch with letters, suggestions, news.
It is your Front Page.
thefrontpage.in
Seema Mustafa
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A MESSAGE OF PEACE
By Seema Mustafa
Peace was a message that was heard after weeks of anger, hate, threats, allegations and some really base rhetoric by both the governments of India and Pakistan. It took a delegation of Pakistanis to New Delhi to bring home the fact that peace is an ideology that has no parallel, and is the only way through which concrete, far reaching solutions can be found. And that it was time that the peaceniks, activists, bleeding hearts---call them what you will---stepped up the pressure on their governments to stop the acrimony and the war talk and move towards a solution that might seem difficult at this point in time but will not be out of reach if the correct course is taken.The Pakistan delegation comprised persons---academics, activists, journalists---whose commitment to peace is well known. Led by I.A Rehman and Asma Jehangir they were put through a hectic programme over three days during which they met political leaders, participated in television shows, met the media, met former diplomats and others and tried to convey one message:
more
JUST SOME STATISTICS
Orissa:
The decadal growth of the Sangh Parivar in Orissa from the martyrdom of Graham Stuart Staines and his sons on January 22, 1999, and of Father Bernard digal in the violence of August 2008
RSS the mother organization now has 6,000 shakhas with a 1,50,000 plus cadre.
The VHP has 1,25,000 primary workers in Orissa.
The Bajrang Dal has 50,000 activists working in 200 shakhas.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has above 4,50,000 workers.
The Durga Vahini, the women's group has 7,000 outfits in 117 sites.
The Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, another gender group, has 80 centres
Bharatiya Majdoor [labour] Sangh manages 171 trade unions with a cadre of 1,82,000 members.
The strong Bharatiya Kisan [farmers] Sangh has 30,000 in 100 blocks.
Other Sangh front organisations include Friends of Tribal Society,
Samarpan Charitable Trust, Sookruti, Yasodha Sadan, Eklavya Vidyalayas [schools], Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams and Parishads , Vivekananda Kendras, Shikha Vikas Samitis and Sewa Bharatis.
Kandhamal district, one of Orissa's thirty, has 2,415 villages, the two towns of Phulbani and Balliguda. Orissa's 36.8 million population has a mere 2.4 per cent Christians, 2.1 per cent Muslims.
[Data courtesy Census of India, Survey of India, Prof Angana Chatterji [US] and others]
VIOLENCE IN THE STATES SINCE AUGUST 2008
ORISSA:
14 (of 30) Districts hit 315 Villages destroyed
4,640 Houses burnt [State government estimates 4,215]
54,000 Homeless initially
120 People murdered
7 Priests/ Pastors killed
10 Fathers/Pastors/Nuns injured
2 Rapes confirmed [One of Nun]
252 Churches destroyed [estimated by State government]
13 Schools, colleges destroyed
2. KARNATAKA
8 (of 29) Districts affected
33 Churches attacked update again
53 Christians injured in attacks, including Nuns assaulted by state police.
3. TAMIL NADU
12 Churches attacked
4. MADHYA PRADESH
5 Churches damaged
5. KERALA
4 Churches damaged
6. DELHI
2 Churches damaged/destroyed
The decadal growth of the Sangh Parivar in Orissa from the martyrdom of Graham Stuart Staines and his sons on January 22, 1999, and of Father Bernard digal in the violence of August 2008
RSS the mother organization now has 6,000 shakhas with a 1,50,000 plus cadre.
The VHP has 1,25,000 primary workers in Orissa.
The Bajrang Dal has 50,000 activists working in 200 shakhas.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has above 4,50,000 workers.
The Durga Vahini, the women's group has 7,000 outfits in 117 sites.
The Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, another gender group, has 80 centres
Bharatiya Majdoor [labour] Sangh manages 171 trade unions with a cadre of 1,82,000 members.
The strong Bharatiya Kisan [farmers] Sangh has 30,000 in 100 blocks.
Other Sangh front organisations include Friends of Tribal Society,
Samarpan Charitable Trust, Sookruti, Yasodha Sadan, Eklavya Vidyalayas [schools], Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams and Parishads , Vivekananda Kendras, Shikha Vikas Samitis and Sewa Bharatis.
Kandhamal district, one of Orissa's thirty, has 2,415 villages, the two towns of Phulbani and Balliguda. Orissa's 36.8 million population has a mere 2.4 per cent Christians, 2.1 per cent Muslims.
[Data courtesy Census of India, Survey of India, Prof Angana Chatterji [US] and others]
VIOLENCE IN THE STATES SINCE AUGUST 2008
ORISSA:
14 (of 30) Districts hit 315 Villages destroyed
4,640 Houses burnt [State government estimates 4,215]
54,000 Homeless initially
120 People murdered
7 Priests/ Pastors killed
10 Fathers/Pastors/Nuns injured
2 Rapes confirmed [One of Nun]
252 Churches destroyed [estimated by State government]
13 Schools, colleges destroyed
2. KARNATAKA
8 (of 29) Districts affected
33 Churches attacked update again
53 Christians injured in attacks, including Nuns assaulted by state police.
3. TAMIL NADU
12 Churches attacked
4. MADHYA PRADESH
5 Churches damaged
5. KERALA
4 Churches damaged
6. DELHI
2 Churches damaged/destroyed
JOINT STATEMENT ON THE BARBARIC ASSAULT IN MANGALORE
JOINT STATEMENT ON THE BARBARIC ASSAULT IN MANGALORE
Bangalore: 9 p.m., 29 January 2009
We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the horrific and unprovoked assault by a group of 40 hooligans, reportedly members of the Sri Rama Sene, on young women in a pub in the coastal city of Mangalore, Karnataka, during the afternoon of Saturday, 24 January 2009. We are saddened by the inaction of the public who looked on as the brutal attack unfolded. But we appreciate the attitude and actions of the staff of the pub, who tried to intervene, and the young man who stood up to the attackers.
We are shocked by the tardy action of the State administration, police, and political leadership, some of whom have dismissed this is as a “minor incident”. We believe that violent threats to the democratic freedoms and human rights of citizens, whether women or religious minorities, cannot be trivialised as “unfortunate”.
We are deeply disturbed by the sharply escalating trend of political and social violence against women in public and private spaces as a means to enforce a particularly regressive interpretation of culture in the name of “religion and country” that has been seen in several parts of India. We condemn all such forms of gender-based violence against women and children and the attitudes that make such violence acceptable, whether in the family or in the social and public spheres.
We believe that the Mangalore assault was not an isolated episode by self-appointed “moral police” and their sympathisers who criminally took the law into their own hands, but that it is part of a pattern in the profoundly contested political struggle over what constitutes Indian traditions, religions and cultures. It is evident that in this instance the attackers were emboldened to carry out the unprovoked assault in a political environment that supports a particularly narrow and fanatical view of Indian culture as also a repressive attitude towards women.
We recognise the role of the media in bringing the assault to public notice and their unrelenting efforts to get the State to act against those immediately responsible for it. However, we are gravely concerned that those members of the media who had prior notice of the planned assault did not deem it their responsibility as citizens to inform the police.
We strongly believe that the State and democratically minded citizens must stand up to the violent targeting of women and re-affirm our commitment to the human rights and civil liberties of all people. There can and should be dialogues on what constitutes “Indian-ness”, but regardless of the interpretations of Indian culture and traditions, the beating and molesting women cannot be condoned.
All Signatories:
1. Sumi Krishna, Bangalore: Coordinator: sumikr@gmail.com
2. Ammu Joseph, Bangalore
3. Soma K.P., New Delhi
4. U. Vindhya, Hyderabad
5. Joy Ranadive, Ahmedabad
6. Mary E. John, New Delhi
7. Gopa Samanta, Burdwan (West Bengal)
8. Anuradha Prasad, Bangalore
9. Sharad Lele, Bangalore
10. Prajval Shastri, Bangalore
11. Ajit Menon, Chennai
12. Cynthia Stephen, Bangalore
13. M. Indira, Mysore
14. Meera Velayudhan, Ahmedabad
15. S. Anandi, Chennai
16. Kumkum Roy, New Delhi
17. Jaya Bhattacharjee Rose, New Delhi
18. Claire Noronha, New Delhi
19. Anuradha De, New Delhi
20. Meera Samson, New Delhi
21. Hrangthan Chhungi, Bangalore
22. Ratna Sudarshan, New Delhi
23. Rukmini Sen, Kolkata
24. Anomita Sen, New Delhi
25. Pushpa Achanta, Bangalore
26. Shobita Rajagopal, IDS, Jaipur
27. Anita Ghai, New Delhi
28. Samir Ghosh, Pune
29. Leo Saldhana, Bangalore
30. Padmini Swaminathan, Chennai
31. Megha Shenoy, New Haven,US /Bangalore
32. Fahim Kemal, Hyderabad
33. Kiran Kamal Prasad, Bangalore
34. Bharati Jagannathan, Faridabad, Haryana
35. Uma Iyengar, New Delhi
36. Deepa Dhanraj, Bangalore
37. Anuradha Kapoor, Swayam, Kolkata
38. Jayashri Murali, Bangalore
39. George Pulikuthiyil, Kerala
40. Mahesh Bhat, Bangalore
41. Nagesh Hegde, Bangalore
42. Lawrence Surendra, Mysore
43. Chaman Pincha, Chennai
44. Anupama Bijur, Bangalore
45. Shampa Sengupta, Kolkata
46. Joesph Xavier, Bangalore
47. Apurba K. Baruah, NEHU, Shillong
48. Mangai, Chennai
49. Deepak, K. Mishra, JNU, New Delhi
50. Abha Sur, MIT, Boston (US)
51. Siddharth Narrain, ALF, Bangalore
52. Chhaya Datar, Mumbai
53. Ramesh Dodamani, Mysore
54. Rashna Batliwala Singh, Colorado Springs, (US)
55. Uma Chakravarti, New Delhi
56. Sumantra Nag, New Delhi
57. Madhu Sarin, Chandigarh
58. L.C. Nagaraj, Bangalore
59. Pritam Baruah, Kolkata
60. Ishani Roy, Mumbai
61. Shilpa Phadke, Mumbai
62. Pradeep Esteves, Bangalore
63. Sangeeta Dutta, London
64. Anjali Monteiro, TISS, Mumbai
65. K.P. Jayasankar, TISS, Mumbai
66. Meena Gopal, Mumbai
67. Shashi Deshpande, Bangalore
68. Ramapriya Gopalakrishnan, Chennai
69. Manisha Gupte, MASUM, Pune
70. Ramesh Awaste, MASUM, Pune
71. Kamala Ganesh, Mumbai
72. Indira Pathak, Vikalp, Baroda
73. Maya Sharma Parma, Baroda
74. Manjula Padiyar, Nari Adalat, Baroda
75. Jatin Joshi, Chotudepur (Gujarat)
76. Sakhi Sanghatan, Thilakvada (Gujarat)
77. Leela Fernandez, Rutgers Univ. New Brunswick (US)
78. Ammel Sharon, TISS/ Samadhan, Mangalore
79. Shakun, Vimochana, Bangalore
80. Deepti Sharma, New Delhi
81. Anita Mathew, Alto Porvorim,Goa.
82. Chandita Mukherjee, Mumbai
83. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, ARROW, Kuala Lumpur
84. Jeanne Subramaniam, Bangalore
85. Arun Subramaniam, Bangalore
86. Wilfred Dcosta, INSAF, Ahmedabad
87. Rebecca Abraham, Hongkong
88. Maj. Gen. Sudhir Vombatkere, Mysore
89. Fr. Joe Xavier, sj., ISI, Bangalore
90. Vijayathilagam, ISI, Bangalore
91. Lorraine Moreira, ISI, Bangalore
92. Mercy Kappen, Visthaar, Bangalore
93. Saswati Ghosh, Kolkata
94. Molly Furtado, Mysore
95. Sasi Kumar, New Delhi
96. Lena Ganesh, Mumbai
97. Saumya Uma, Mumbai
98. Samita Sen, Kolkata
99. Jashodhara Dasgupta, Health Watch Forum, Lucknow
100. Saba Dewan, New Delhi
101. Rahul Roy, New Delhi
102. Vineeta Bal, Saheli, New Delhi
103. Krishna Shukla, Hyderabad
104. Cavery Bopiah
105. Kathyayini Chamaraj, Bangalore
106. Brinda Adige, GCI, Bangalore
107. Rakhi Pande, Mumbai
108. Christina Kantharaj, Mysore
109. Ellora Puri, Jammu
110. Sadhna Arya, Saheli, New Delhi
111. Amrutha Valli, Bangalore
112. Cheryll Pereira, Mumbai
113. Kumkum Lal, New Delhi
114. Ashok Lal, New Delhi
115. Sunita Srinivasan, Bangalore
116. Ritu Dewan, Bombay Univ, Mumbai
117. Rini Ralte, Bangalore
118. Tarshi (Radhika Chandiramani), New Delhi
119. Natalie Pereira, Bangalore
120. Amar Jesani, Mumbai
121. Rajesh Ramakrishnan, New Delhi
122. Monica Narula, New Delhi
123. R. Sukanya, Bangalore
124. Indu Agnihotri, New Delhi
125. Nidhi Agarwal, New Delhi
126. Manshi Agarwal, Himachal Pradesh
127. Purnima McCutcheon, LEED AP, Chennai
128. Dolphy D’souza, Bombay Catholic Sabha, Mumbai
129. Alwyn D’Silva, Mumbai
130. Biplab Mukherjee, Kolkata
131. J. Devika, Thiruvanthapuram
132. Sukla Sen, Ekta, Mumbai
133. Wandana Sonalkar, BAmbedkar Marathwada Univ, Aurangabad
134. Aftab Kamal Pasha, JNU, New Delhi
135. Yoganandan Krishnan, Bangalore
136. Anjula Gurtoo, IISC, Bangalore
137. Jith Chacko, Ostersund, Sweden
138. Shwetha Vachani, New Delhi
139. Sudha Narasimhachar, Bangalore
140. Arunesh Maiyar, Bangalore
141. Jamila Verghese, New Delhi
142. Gita Madhu, Kuala Lumpur
143. Vijayshri Iyengar, Akshara, Bangalore
144. Payal Dhar, Bangalore
145. Vineetha Mokkil, New Delhi
146. Utsav Banerjee, Hyderabad
147. Sudeshna Mukherjee, Bangalore
148. Malathi Velamuri, Wellington, Newzealand
149. Harish Sadani (Men Against Violence and Abuse), Mumbai
150. C. G. Manjula, Bangalore
151. Markus Pfefferer, Bangalore
152. Bonita Aleaz, Kolkata
153. Sourindra Ghosh, New Delhi
154. Sumati Surya, Bangalore
155. Gita Chadha, Mumbai
156. Javed Malick, New Delhi
157. Neeraj Malik, New Delhi
158. Mariola Menezes, Nigeria
159. Sampreethi Aipanjiguly, Khatmandu
160. Thomas Nielsen, Khatmandu
161. Pramod A. Pullarkat, RRI, Bangalore
162. Ponni Arasu, Bangalore
163. Partners for Law in Development, New Delhi
164. Nirantar, New Delhi
165. Saheli, New Delhi
166. Seema Siddique, London
167. Walter Fernandes, NESRC, Guwahati
168. Suresh Parekh, Mumbai
169. Anagha Sarpotdar, Mumbai
170. Mukul Dube, Delhi
171. Nandini Manjrekar, Mumbai
172. Aurina Chatterjee, Mumbai
173. Anushree Banerjee, Mumbai
174. Lina Krishna, Bangalore
175. Harkant Mankad, Mumbai
176. Niruj Mohan R., Bangalore
177. Jayant Radhakrishnan, Chicago
178. Swathi Sivanand, Mumbai
179. Maithili Gupte, Mumbai
180. Ammu Abraham, Mumbai
181. Jagori, New Delhi
182. Di Cooper, Mumbai
183. Tanushree Gangopadhyay, Bangalore
184. Gayatri Sunil Phadke, Mumbai
185. Rajesh Ranjan, Hyderabad
186. Sana Rizvi, New York
187. Vikram Ahuja, Bangalore
188. Renjini Varghese, Pune
189. Sandeep Krishna, Copenhagen/ Bangalore
190. V. Uday Bhanu, San Francisco
191. Reama Ramachandran, New York
192. Roshan Suvarna, New York
193. Aasha Ramesh, Bangalore
194. Atuk Bhutia, New Delhi
195. Agnel Pereira, Bahrain
196. Lakshmi Lingam, Mumbai
197. Subodh S. Gupta, Sewagram, Wardha
198. Revathi Laul, New Delhi
199. Subhashini Muthukrishnan
200. Rajika Shukla, New Delhi
201. Lynne Henry
202. Renu Ramnath, Kochi
203. Rakesh Sharma, Mumbai
204. Sai Thakur, Mumbai
205. N. Devadasan, Bangalore
206. Kalpana Kannabiran, Asmita, Hyderabad
207. Vasanth Kannabiran, Asmita, Hyderabad
208. Volga, Asmita, Hyderabad
209. Vanaja, Hyderabad
210. Shyamala Shiveshwarkar, New Delhi
211. Hartman de Souza, Pune
212. J.M.K. Sekar, Chennai
213. Rajeev Kalekar
214. CEHAT (Sana Contractor), Pune
215. Sheelu, Women’s Collective, Tamilnadu
216. Sundari, TNRT, Chennai.
217. V.Chandra, WEED, Chennai
218. Sharmilee Nielsen, Chennai
219. Klaus Nielsen, Chennai
220. Shewli, Mumbai
221. Naresh Fernandes, Mumbai
222. Anita Cheria, Openspace, Bangalore
223. Prafulla Mishra, Nairobi
224. Sanjeeb Mukherjee, Kolkata
225. Ravi Vasudevan, New Delhi
226. Satnam Kaur, Saheli, New Delhi
227. John Kurien, CLR, Pune
228. Kumud Sharma, New Delhi
229. Tilottama S. Misra, Guwahati
230. Sapna Shahani, Mumbai
231. Mohan Haridas, Nagpur
232. Kumara Swamy H., Mysore
233. Jason Keith Fernandes, Goa
234. John Dayal, New Delhi
235. Dileep Simeon, New Delhi
236. Smitha S. Pendharkar, WUNRN Revere, MA (US)
237. Pradeep Narayanan, New Delhi
238. Citizens’ Inititiative for Peace (Jatin Desai), Mumbai
239. Vrinda Grover, New Delhi
240. Abhisheka, New Delhi
241. M. Rajkumar
242. Saraswati Raju, JNU, New Delhi
243. Philomena Lydia Fernandes, Goa
244. Aariz Mohammed, CSJ, Hyderabad
245. Beena, [all Asmita, Hyderabad]
246. Sharifa Siddiqui
247. Pallavi Gupta
248. Meera
249. Vaishali
250. Nagamma
251. Rajyalakshmi
252. Asha
253. Santhi
254. P. Anuradha
255. T. Anuradha
256. Padmalakshmi
257. Nikhat
258. Kranthi
259. Padmini
260. Subbalakshmi
261. Sujatha
262. Sarah
263. Sudha
264. Neela
265. Nivedita Menon, JNU, Delhi
266. Amrita Dhar, Kolkata
267. Feroze Mithiborwala, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
268. Kishore Jagtap, Ganai Sanskritik Andolan, Mumbai
269. Jyoti Badekar, Marathi Bharti, Mumbai
270. Varsha V V, Sameep Pratishthan, Mumbai
271. Amol Madame, Sameep Pratishthan, Mumbai
272. Sayeed Khan, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
273. Arif Kapadia, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
274. Gaurav Karia, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
275. Jagdish Nagarkar, Phule-Ambedkar Vichar Manch, Mumbai
276. Mulniwasi Mala, Indian Social Movement, Mumbai
277. John Fernandes, Rajahmundry (Andhra)
278. Rita D’Silva, Mumbai
279. Sudha Rajagopalan, Univ of Utrecht, Netherlands
280. Concerned for Working Children (Kavita Ratna), Bangalore
281. Malini Gurbaxani, Pune
282. Rohini Hensman, Mumbai
283. Suma Embar, Mysore
284. Rajani Konantambigi, Mumbai
285. Aryakrishnan Ramakrishnan, Kochi
286. Veena, Bangalore
287. Anchita Ghatak, Kolkata
288. Kirtiwan. D. Morarji, Mumbai
289. Daya Varma, McGill Univ. Montreal
290. Natasha Koshy, TISS, Mumba
291. Navneeta Majumder, Mumbai
292. Monika Mehta, TISS, Mumbai
293. Shubhobrato Ghosh, AIM, Manila
294. Paul Heron, Pune
295. Farida Gazdar, Mumbai/Paris
296. Vidya K.S., Mumbai
297. Shruti Chakravarty, FAOW, Mumbai
298. Nachiket Joshi, New York
Bangalore: 9 p.m., 29 January 2009
We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the horrific and unprovoked assault by a group of 40 hooligans, reportedly members of the Sri Rama Sene, on young women in a pub in the coastal city of Mangalore, Karnataka, during the afternoon of Saturday, 24 January 2009. We are saddened by the inaction of the public who looked on as the brutal attack unfolded. But we appreciate the attitude and actions of the staff of the pub, who tried to intervene, and the young man who stood up to the attackers.
We are shocked by the tardy action of the State administration, police, and political leadership, some of whom have dismissed this is as a “minor incident”. We believe that violent threats to the democratic freedoms and human rights of citizens, whether women or religious minorities, cannot be trivialised as “unfortunate”.
We are deeply disturbed by the sharply escalating trend of political and social violence against women in public and private spaces as a means to enforce a particularly regressive interpretation of culture in the name of “religion and country” that has been seen in several parts of India. We condemn all such forms of gender-based violence against women and children and the attitudes that make such violence acceptable, whether in the family or in the social and public spheres.
We believe that the Mangalore assault was not an isolated episode by self-appointed “moral police” and their sympathisers who criminally took the law into their own hands, but that it is part of a pattern in the profoundly contested political struggle over what constitutes Indian traditions, religions and cultures. It is evident that in this instance the attackers were emboldened to carry out the unprovoked assault in a political environment that supports a particularly narrow and fanatical view of Indian culture as also a repressive attitude towards women.
We recognise the role of the media in bringing the assault to public notice and their unrelenting efforts to get the State to act against those immediately responsible for it. However, we are gravely concerned that those members of the media who had prior notice of the planned assault did not deem it their responsibility as citizens to inform the police.
We strongly believe that the State and democratically minded citizens must stand up to the violent targeting of women and re-affirm our commitment to the human rights and civil liberties of all people. There can and should be dialogues on what constitutes “Indian-ness”, but regardless of the interpretations of Indian culture and traditions, the beating and molesting women cannot be condoned.
All Signatories:
1. Sumi Krishna, Bangalore: Coordinator: sumikr@gmail.com
2. Ammu Joseph, Bangalore
3. Soma K.P., New Delhi
4. U. Vindhya, Hyderabad
5. Joy Ranadive, Ahmedabad
6. Mary E. John, New Delhi
7. Gopa Samanta, Burdwan (West Bengal)
8. Anuradha Prasad, Bangalore
9. Sharad Lele, Bangalore
10. Prajval Shastri, Bangalore
11. Ajit Menon, Chennai
12. Cynthia Stephen, Bangalore
13. M. Indira, Mysore
14. Meera Velayudhan, Ahmedabad
15. S. Anandi, Chennai
16. Kumkum Roy, New Delhi
17. Jaya Bhattacharjee Rose, New Delhi
18. Claire Noronha, New Delhi
19. Anuradha De, New Delhi
20. Meera Samson, New Delhi
21. Hrangthan Chhungi, Bangalore
22. Ratna Sudarshan, New Delhi
23. Rukmini Sen, Kolkata
24. Anomita Sen, New Delhi
25. Pushpa Achanta, Bangalore
26. Shobita Rajagopal, IDS, Jaipur
27. Anita Ghai, New Delhi
28. Samir Ghosh, Pune
29. Leo Saldhana, Bangalore
30. Padmini Swaminathan, Chennai
31. Megha Shenoy, New Haven,US /Bangalore
32. Fahim Kemal, Hyderabad
33. Kiran Kamal Prasad, Bangalore
34. Bharati Jagannathan, Faridabad, Haryana
35. Uma Iyengar, New Delhi
36. Deepa Dhanraj, Bangalore
37. Anuradha Kapoor, Swayam, Kolkata
38. Jayashri Murali, Bangalore
39. George Pulikuthiyil, Kerala
40. Mahesh Bhat, Bangalore
41. Nagesh Hegde, Bangalore
42. Lawrence Surendra, Mysore
43. Chaman Pincha, Chennai
44. Anupama Bijur, Bangalore
45. Shampa Sengupta, Kolkata
46. Joesph Xavier, Bangalore
47. Apurba K. Baruah, NEHU, Shillong
48. Mangai, Chennai
49. Deepak, K. Mishra, JNU, New Delhi
50. Abha Sur, MIT, Boston (US)
51. Siddharth Narrain, ALF, Bangalore
52. Chhaya Datar, Mumbai
53. Ramesh Dodamani, Mysore
54. Rashna Batliwala Singh, Colorado Springs, (US)
55. Uma Chakravarti, New Delhi
56. Sumantra Nag, New Delhi
57. Madhu Sarin, Chandigarh
58. L.C. Nagaraj, Bangalore
59. Pritam Baruah, Kolkata
60. Ishani Roy, Mumbai
61. Shilpa Phadke, Mumbai
62. Pradeep Esteves, Bangalore
63. Sangeeta Dutta, London
64. Anjali Monteiro, TISS, Mumbai
65. K.P. Jayasankar, TISS, Mumbai
66. Meena Gopal, Mumbai
67. Shashi Deshpande, Bangalore
68. Ramapriya Gopalakrishnan, Chennai
69. Manisha Gupte, MASUM, Pune
70. Ramesh Awaste, MASUM, Pune
71. Kamala Ganesh, Mumbai
72. Indira Pathak, Vikalp, Baroda
73. Maya Sharma Parma, Baroda
74. Manjula Padiyar, Nari Adalat, Baroda
75. Jatin Joshi, Chotudepur (Gujarat)
76. Sakhi Sanghatan, Thilakvada (Gujarat)
77. Leela Fernandez, Rutgers Univ. New Brunswick (US)
78. Ammel Sharon, TISS/ Samadhan, Mangalore
79. Shakun, Vimochana, Bangalore
80. Deepti Sharma, New Delhi
81. Anita Mathew, Alto Porvorim,Goa.
82. Chandita Mukherjee, Mumbai
83. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, ARROW, Kuala Lumpur
84. Jeanne Subramaniam, Bangalore
85. Arun Subramaniam, Bangalore
86. Wilfred Dcosta, INSAF, Ahmedabad
87. Rebecca Abraham, Hongkong
88. Maj. Gen. Sudhir Vombatkere, Mysore
89. Fr. Joe Xavier, sj., ISI, Bangalore
90. Vijayathilagam, ISI, Bangalore
91. Lorraine Moreira, ISI, Bangalore
92. Mercy Kappen, Visthaar, Bangalore
93. Saswati Ghosh, Kolkata
94. Molly Furtado, Mysore
95. Sasi Kumar, New Delhi
96. Lena Ganesh, Mumbai
97. Saumya Uma, Mumbai
98. Samita Sen, Kolkata
99. Jashodhara Dasgupta, Health Watch Forum, Lucknow
100. Saba Dewan, New Delhi
101. Rahul Roy, New Delhi
102. Vineeta Bal, Saheli, New Delhi
103. Krishna Shukla, Hyderabad
104. Cavery Bopiah
105. Kathyayini Chamaraj, Bangalore
106. Brinda Adige, GCI, Bangalore
107. Rakhi Pande, Mumbai
108. Christina Kantharaj, Mysore
109. Ellora Puri, Jammu
110. Sadhna Arya, Saheli, New Delhi
111. Amrutha Valli, Bangalore
112. Cheryll Pereira, Mumbai
113. Kumkum Lal, New Delhi
114. Ashok Lal, New Delhi
115. Sunita Srinivasan, Bangalore
116. Ritu Dewan, Bombay Univ, Mumbai
117. Rini Ralte, Bangalore
118. Tarshi (Radhika Chandiramani), New Delhi
119. Natalie Pereira, Bangalore
120. Amar Jesani, Mumbai
121. Rajesh Ramakrishnan, New Delhi
122. Monica Narula, New Delhi
123. R. Sukanya, Bangalore
124. Indu Agnihotri, New Delhi
125. Nidhi Agarwal, New Delhi
126. Manshi Agarwal, Himachal Pradesh
127. Purnima McCutcheon, LEED AP, Chennai
128. Dolphy D’souza, Bombay Catholic Sabha, Mumbai
129. Alwyn D’Silva, Mumbai
130. Biplab Mukherjee, Kolkata
131. J. Devika, Thiruvanthapuram
132. Sukla Sen, Ekta, Mumbai
133. Wandana Sonalkar, BAmbedkar Marathwada Univ, Aurangabad
134. Aftab Kamal Pasha, JNU, New Delhi
135. Yoganandan Krishnan, Bangalore
136. Anjula Gurtoo, IISC, Bangalore
137. Jith Chacko, Ostersund, Sweden
138. Shwetha Vachani, New Delhi
139. Sudha Narasimhachar, Bangalore
140. Arunesh Maiyar, Bangalore
141. Jamila Verghese, New Delhi
142. Gita Madhu, Kuala Lumpur
143. Vijayshri Iyengar, Akshara, Bangalore
144. Payal Dhar, Bangalore
145. Vineetha Mokkil, New Delhi
146. Utsav Banerjee, Hyderabad
147. Sudeshna Mukherjee, Bangalore
148. Malathi Velamuri, Wellington, Newzealand
149. Harish Sadani (Men Against Violence and Abuse), Mumbai
150. C. G. Manjula, Bangalore
151. Markus Pfefferer, Bangalore
152. Bonita Aleaz, Kolkata
153. Sourindra Ghosh, New Delhi
154. Sumati Surya, Bangalore
155. Gita Chadha, Mumbai
156. Javed Malick, New Delhi
157. Neeraj Malik, New Delhi
158. Mariola Menezes, Nigeria
159. Sampreethi Aipanjiguly, Khatmandu
160. Thomas Nielsen, Khatmandu
161. Pramod A. Pullarkat, RRI, Bangalore
162. Ponni Arasu, Bangalore
163. Partners for Law in Development, New Delhi
164. Nirantar, New Delhi
165. Saheli, New Delhi
166. Seema Siddique, London
167. Walter Fernandes, NESRC, Guwahati
168. Suresh Parekh, Mumbai
169. Anagha Sarpotdar, Mumbai
170. Mukul Dube, Delhi
171. Nandini Manjrekar, Mumbai
172. Aurina Chatterjee, Mumbai
173. Anushree Banerjee, Mumbai
174. Lina Krishna, Bangalore
175. Harkant Mankad, Mumbai
176. Niruj Mohan R., Bangalore
177. Jayant Radhakrishnan, Chicago
178. Swathi Sivanand, Mumbai
179. Maithili Gupte, Mumbai
180. Ammu Abraham, Mumbai
181. Jagori, New Delhi
182. Di Cooper, Mumbai
183. Tanushree Gangopadhyay, Bangalore
184. Gayatri Sunil Phadke, Mumbai
185. Rajesh Ranjan, Hyderabad
186. Sana Rizvi, New York
187. Vikram Ahuja, Bangalore
188. Renjini Varghese, Pune
189. Sandeep Krishna, Copenhagen/ Bangalore
190. V. Uday Bhanu, San Francisco
191. Reama Ramachandran, New York
192. Roshan Suvarna, New York
193. Aasha Ramesh, Bangalore
194. Atuk Bhutia, New Delhi
195. Agnel Pereira, Bahrain
196. Lakshmi Lingam, Mumbai
197. Subodh S. Gupta, Sewagram, Wardha
198. Revathi Laul, New Delhi
199. Subhashini Muthukrishnan
200. Rajika Shukla, New Delhi
201. Lynne Henry
202. Renu Ramnath, Kochi
203. Rakesh Sharma, Mumbai
204. Sai Thakur, Mumbai
205. N. Devadasan, Bangalore
206. Kalpana Kannabiran, Asmita, Hyderabad
207. Vasanth Kannabiran, Asmita, Hyderabad
208. Volga, Asmita, Hyderabad
209. Vanaja, Hyderabad
210. Shyamala Shiveshwarkar, New Delhi
211. Hartman de Souza, Pune
212. J.M.K. Sekar, Chennai
213. Rajeev Kalekar
214. CEHAT (Sana Contractor), Pune
215. Sheelu, Women’s Collective, Tamilnadu
216. Sundari, TNRT, Chennai.
217. V.Chandra, WEED, Chennai
218. Sharmilee Nielsen, Chennai
219. Klaus Nielsen, Chennai
220. Shewli, Mumbai
221. Naresh Fernandes, Mumbai
222. Anita Cheria, Openspace, Bangalore
223. Prafulla Mishra, Nairobi
224. Sanjeeb Mukherjee, Kolkata
225. Ravi Vasudevan, New Delhi
226. Satnam Kaur, Saheli, New Delhi
227. John Kurien, CLR, Pune
228. Kumud Sharma, New Delhi
229. Tilottama S. Misra, Guwahati
230. Sapna Shahani, Mumbai
231. Mohan Haridas, Nagpur
232. Kumara Swamy H., Mysore
233. Jason Keith Fernandes, Goa
234. John Dayal, New Delhi
235. Dileep Simeon, New Delhi
236. Smitha S. Pendharkar, WUNRN Revere, MA (US)
237. Pradeep Narayanan, New Delhi
238. Citizens’ Inititiative for Peace (Jatin Desai), Mumbai
239. Vrinda Grover, New Delhi
240. Abhisheka, New Delhi
241. M. Rajkumar
242. Saraswati Raju, JNU, New Delhi
243. Philomena Lydia Fernandes, Goa
244. Aariz Mohammed, CSJ, Hyderabad
245. Beena, [all Asmita, Hyderabad]
246. Sharifa Siddiqui
247. Pallavi Gupta
248. Meera
249. Vaishali
250. Nagamma
251. Rajyalakshmi
252. Asha
253. Santhi
254. P. Anuradha
255. T. Anuradha
256. Padmalakshmi
257. Nikhat
258. Kranthi
259. Padmini
260. Subbalakshmi
261. Sujatha
262. Sarah
263. Sudha
264. Neela
265. Nivedita Menon, JNU, Delhi
266. Amrita Dhar, Kolkata
267. Feroze Mithiborwala, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
268. Kishore Jagtap, Ganai Sanskritik Andolan, Mumbai
269. Jyoti Badekar, Marathi Bharti, Mumbai
270. Varsha V V, Sameep Pratishthan, Mumbai
271. Amol Madame, Sameep Pratishthan, Mumbai
272. Sayeed Khan, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
273. Arif Kapadia, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
274. Gaurav Karia, Awami Bharat, Mumbai
275. Jagdish Nagarkar, Phule-Ambedkar Vichar Manch, Mumbai
276. Mulniwasi Mala, Indian Social Movement, Mumbai
277. John Fernandes, Rajahmundry (Andhra)
278. Rita D’Silva, Mumbai
279. Sudha Rajagopalan, Univ of Utrecht, Netherlands
280. Concerned for Working Children (Kavita Ratna), Bangalore
281. Malini Gurbaxani, Pune
282. Rohini Hensman, Mumbai
283. Suma Embar, Mysore
284. Rajani Konantambigi, Mumbai
285. Aryakrishnan Ramakrishnan, Kochi
286. Veena, Bangalore
287. Anchita Ghatak, Kolkata
288. Kirtiwan. D. Morarji, Mumbai
289. Daya Varma, McGill Univ. Montreal
290. Natasha Koshy, TISS, Mumba
291. Navneeta Majumder, Mumbai
292. Monika Mehta, TISS, Mumbai
293. Shubhobrato Ghosh, AIM, Manila
294. Paul Heron, Pune
295. Farida Gazdar, Mumbai/Paris
296. Vidya K.S., Mumbai
297. Shruti Chakravarty, FAOW, Mumbai
298. Nachiket Joshi, New York
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Humanitarian Disaster In Sri Lanka
Humanitarian Disaster In Sri Lanka
By Sarath Kumara & K. Ratnayake
The Sri Lankan military offensive aimed at destroying the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has produced a humanitarian crisis for hundreds of thousands of people trapped by the fighting. While journalists are barred from the front lines, reports are filtering out of hundreds of civilian deaths, with many more injured and in need of urgent medical help
Tamils Gagged, Gunned And BombedIn Tamil Eelam
By Dr C P Thiagarajah
Tamilnet services reported on 26 Jan that 300 civilians among 250000 IDPs waiting for safety in the government declared safe zones or secure zone in Mullaitivu were killed when the Sri-Lankan armed forces bombed and shelled the area. Several hundreds were bleeding to death in the last 24 hours. This death toll was ten times more than the horrific death count for a day on the 22rd January military assault on Mullaitivu
Movement against Terrorism and War
HUDA SOCIAL FRONT
Public Meeting
Movement against Terrorism and War
Condolence Meeting on the day of Mahatma Gandhiji's day of martyrdom.
To Pay Homage to the courageous and brave Police Officers and Military Personnel who were slain in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack.
Shri Hemant Karkare / Shri Ashok Kamte / Shri Vijay Salaskar / Shri Unnikrishnan and Shri Tukaram Omble.
Venue: Alama Latifi Hall, Saboo Siddik College, Shepherd Road, Byculla (W), Mumbai 400 008.
Date: January 30, 2009 / Time: 5 - 8pm
The Programme will be presided over by Ghulam Pesh Imam.
Chief Guest: Dr. Akhtar Rizvi
Speakers will include:
Mr. Aziz Burney, Mr. K L Prasad (JC), Mr. Mahesh Bhatt, Mr. Abu Asim Azmi, Mr. Shamim Tariq, Mr. Amaresh Misra, Col. Sudhir Sawant,
Mr. Feroze Mithiborwala, Mr. Akhtar Kazmi, Mr. M M A Azmi, Mr. Sarfaraz Arzoo, Mr. Suhail Lokhandwala, Mr. Habib Fakih,
Mr. M H Sayyed Atahar Ali, Mr. A Majid Memon, Mr. Tahir Ashrafi and Mr. Haroon Mojawala.
Guests of Honour:
Mr. A Q Sopariwala, Dr. M A Patankar, Dr. Zahir Kazi, Mr. Owais Ahmed, Mrs. Razia Ashraf, Mr. Iqbal memon, Mr. Baba bhai Sopariwala,
Mr. Surjan Singh, Mr. Safdar Karmali, Mr. Arshad Siddiqui, Mr. Dawood Khan, Dr. Azimuddin, Mr. Aziz Makki, Mrs. Naseema Surty,
Mr. Shebaaz Siddiqui, Mr. Farid Khan, Mr. Mufti Salim Akhtar, Mr. Nalin Shah, Mr. Nizamuddin Raeen, Mr. Mehmood Hakimi,
Mr. Sayeed Khan, Mr. Mufti S. Akhtar, Mr. Raees Ahmad, Dr. A R Sumar, Maulana Ismail Qasmi, Dr. Matcheswala, Dr. Sayyed Badre Alam.
the function will be hosted by Mr Iqbal Patni
RSVP: Mustaqeem Makki
Public Meeting
Movement against Terrorism and War
Condolence Meeting on the day of Mahatma Gandhiji's day of martyrdom.
To Pay Homage to the courageous and brave Police Officers and Military Personnel who were slain in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack.
Shri Hemant Karkare / Shri Ashok Kamte / Shri Vijay Salaskar / Shri Unnikrishnan and Shri Tukaram Omble.
Venue: Alama Latifi Hall, Saboo Siddik College, Shepherd Road, Byculla (W), Mumbai 400 008.
Date: January 30, 2009 / Time: 5 - 8pm
The Programme will be presided over by Ghulam Pesh Imam.
Chief Guest: Dr. Akhtar Rizvi
Speakers will include:
Mr. Aziz Burney, Mr. K L Prasad (JC), Mr. Mahesh Bhatt, Mr. Abu Asim Azmi, Mr. Shamim Tariq, Mr. Amaresh Misra, Col. Sudhir Sawant,
Mr. Feroze Mithiborwala, Mr. Akhtar Kazmi, Mr. M M A Azmi, Mr. Sarfaraz Arzoo, Mr. Suhail Lokhandwala, Mr. Habib Fakih,
Mr. M H Sayyed Atahar Ali, Mr. A Majid Memon, Mr. Tahir Ashrafi and Mr. Haroon Mojawala.
Guests of Honour:
Mr. A Q Sopariwala, Dr. M A Patankar, Dr. Zahir Kazi, Mr. Owais Ahmed, Mrs. Razia Ashraf, Mr. Iqbal memon, Mr. Baba bhai Sopariwala,
Mr. Surjan Singh, Mr. Safdar Karmali, Mr. Arshad Siddiqui, Mr. Dawood Khan, Dr. Azimuddin, Mr. Aziz Makki, Mrs. Naseema Surty,
Mr. Shebaaz Siddiqui, Mr. Farid Khan, Mr. Mufti Salim Akhtar, Mr. Nalin Shah, Mr. Nizamuddin Raeen, Mr. Mehmood Hakimi,
Mr. Sayeed Khan, Mr. Mufti S. Akhtar, Mr. Raees Ahmad, Dr. A R Sumar, Maulana Ismail Qasmi, Dr. Matcheswala, Dr. Sayyed Badre Alam.
the function will be hosted by Mr Iqbal Patni
RSVP: Mustaqeem Makki
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Gaza: The Indian Example
Gaza: The Indian Example
By Radhika Sainath
In Gaza, Palestinians have once again been blamed for their own deaths. The British made a similar argument 151 years ago when they killed thousands of Indian civilians -- 1,200 in a single village -- in response to the largest anti-colonial uprising of the 19th century. If Israel truly desires peace with the Palestinians and safety for its citizens, it should look back to one of the greatest, and misunderstood, independence movements in history
By Radhika Sainath
In Gaza, Palestinians have once again been blamed for their own deaths. The British made a similar argument 151 years ago when they killed thousands of Indian civilians -- 1,200 in a single village -- in response to the largest anti-colonial uprising of the 19th century. If Israel truly desires peace with the Palestinians and safety for its citizens, it should look back to one of the greatest, and misunderstood, independence movements in history
Malegaon: The Israeli Connection
By Mustafa Khan
Countercurrents.org
It is grim reading how Lt Col Srikant Purohit and others wanted to establish a Hindu Rashtra with the help of Israel. The RSS and Jan Sangh did not whole heartedly join the national juggernaut that Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had started for the foundation of a democratic liberal state of India in which all could live. The same could be said of the neighbouring Pakistan whose founder Jinnah had created his country for all the people irrespective of their religion but this was systematically undermined and then President Ziaul Haq hijacked it in the name of Sharia. The grudge Purohit and his ilk was that the British did not leave India as a Hindu Rashtra while they took Pakistan as a theocratic state based on Islam. The only state established on theocracy was, of course, Israel. The recent Gaza incursion of the Israeli army is the most recent and vivid murderous effort in the long history of establishing a theocratic state of Israel. Its birth in 1948 was catastrophic for the native Palestinians of the erstwhile Palestine. Such a visualized state has been the cherished dream of the right wing groups of the RSS and its offshoots who have never been content with the democratic, secular republic of India.
There have been many occasions when extreme Hindutva leaders like Bal Thackeray and the leaders of the sangh parivar have expressed their desire for a Hindu Rashtra, nay they have de facto lived and worked as though India is already one. Their angst is that there are many in India, overwhelmingly Hindus, who do not want India to be just that. The right wing organizations have used every opportunity to divide the people on religious lines and have craftily created situations which could virtually subvert the whole system of governance into what their cherished dream has been.
It is in this context that Purohit made the bold attempt albeit with a difference after 9/11, camouflaging his plan by joining what the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband calls "the mistaken war on terror". Believing all acts of terrorism in the country as Islamic terrorism he designed his own terrorism to fight terrorism. The Samjhauta express attack and the attacks in Mecca mosque of Hyderabad and the one in Ajmer shrine fall in line with this design. He picked up the thread where VD Savarkar had left it and so revived the organization that Savarkar had disbanded and took the name of the newspaper which Nathuram had started, "Hindu Rashtra". The Jewish connection cannot be stretched any further although Aston David was principal of Wadia college where the two professors taught their subjects and also taught making bombs to Rakesh Dhawde and others. Aston's being a Jew cannot be taken to mean that he too is involved as are two of his professors. But that does not dispel suspicion that "the safe houses in Israel" Purohit had arranged for could not be there waiting for any eventuality that he had in mind. Inquiry is still on...
Countercurrents.org
It is grim reading how Lt Col Srikant Purohit and others wanted to establish a Hindu Rashtra with the help of Israel. The RSS and Jan Sangh did not whole heartedly join the national juggernaut that Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had started for the foundation of a democratic liberal state of India in which all could live. The same could be said of the neighbouring Pakistan whose founder Jinnah had created his country for all the people irrespective of their religion but this was systematically undermined and then President Ziaul Haq hijacked it in the name of Sharia. The grudge Purohit and his ilk was that the British did not leave India as a Hindu Rashtra while they took Pakistan as a theocratic state based on Islam. The only state established on theocracy was, of course, Israel. The recent Gaza incursion of the Israeli army is the most recent and vivid murderous effort in the long history of establishing a theocratic state of Israel. Its birth in 1948 was catastrophic for the native Palestinians of the erstwhile Palestine. Such a visualized state has been the cherished dream of the right wing groups of the RSS and its offshoots who have never been content with the democratic, secular republic of India.
There have been many occasions when extreme Hindutva leaders like Bal Thackeray and the leaders of the sangh parivar have expressed their desire for a Hindu Rashtra, nay they have de facto lived and worked as though India is already one. Their angst is that there are many in India, overwhelmingly Hindus, who do not want India to be just that. The right wing organizations have used every opportunity to divide the people on religious lines and have craftily created situations which could virtually subvert the whole system of governance into what their cherished dream has been.
It is in this context that Purohit made the bold attempt albeit with a difference after 9/11, camouflaging his plan by joining what the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband calls "the mistaken war on terror". Believing all acts of terrorism in the country as Islamic terrorism he designed his own terrorism to fight terrorism. The Samjhauta express attack and the attacks in Mecca mosque of Hyderabad and the one in Ajmer shrine fall in line with this design. He picked up the thread where VD Savarkar had left it and so revived the organization that Savarkar had disbanded and took the name of the newspaper which Nathuram had started, "Hindu Rashtra". The Jewish connection cannot be stretched any further although Aston David was principal of Wadia college where the two professors taught their subjects and also taught making bombs to Rakesh Dhawde and others. Aston's being a Jew cannot be taken to mean that he too is involved as are two of his professors. But that does not dispel suspicion that "the safe houses in Israel" Purohit had arranged for could not be there waiting for any eventuality that he had in mind. Inquiry is still on...
'Malegaon' In Hubli
By Subhash Gatade
Countercurrents.org
(A Karnataka dacoit with links to a radical Hindu rightwing group has confessed to having carried out the Hubli district court bombing of May10, 2008.
The blast took place as the first phase of polling for the Karnataka Assembly elections was on - in a magistrate's courtroom where cases against top SIMI leaders including Safdar Nagori were scheduled to be heard two days later.
- Dacoit with Hindu Outfit links behind Hubli blast, Indian Express, January 13, 2009)
Does anybody remember the bomb blasts in Hubli (Karnataka, May 2008) courts last year when preparations were on for the coming state assembly elections ? These blasts which took place on a holiday did not witness any casuality although they extensively damaged the court premises. But the most important part played by these blasts was the atmosphere it created in favour of the BJP.
As it always happens after any such mysterious sounding blasts, many innocents belonging to minority community were illegally detained and quite a few among them also were booked for their 'role' in the blasts. The police had promptly claimed that 'sleeper cells belonging to LeT and SIMI' had executed the blasts.
One still remembers the manner in which Sangh Parivar had tried to exploit the bomb blasts in its favour. The former Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, had even used the bomb blasts case to attack the Congress led UPA government at the centre for 'soft-pedalling the issue concerning terror' and accusing it of responsibility' for the increase in terrorist activities in the country'.
The Hubli bar association had followed many other bar associations in different parts of the country to immediately pass a 'unanimous' resolution that they would not defend any 'terrorists' supposed to be involved in the blasts. And when a conscientous lawyer named Ibrahim Jalagir tried to file bail application on behalf of the detained he came under organised attack. His office was vandalised and he alongwith his colleague were badly beaten up by these hoodlums.
Now when the BJP government is firmly in the saddle and the accused in the bomb blasts case have already spent months together behind jails, has come a news which is definitely not soothing to the ears of the the saffron commanders.The IGP of North Karnataka Ragavendera Auradhkar recently addressed a press conference telling the media that the mysterious bomb blasts which had struck the Hubli courts last year were the handiwork of a criminal gang led by one Nagraj Jambagi .
According to the IGP it was the same team which had planted a bomb on the Belgaum-Hubli highway last year.However, this bomb failed to explode as it was raining heavily. After high drama, the bomb squad had finally retrieved the bomb.In fact Nagraj had led the gang which was also involved in seven murder cases in North Karnataka and several cases of abduction also. Interestingly the police had stumbled upon this gang while investigating the murder of a Bagalkot businessman.
Reporting about the incident, Mailtoday writes (13 Jan 2009)
Hindutva terror has struck Karnataka. The Karnataka police arrested nine persons with Sangh Parivar links for allegedly setting off a bomb in the court of the junior first class magistrate in Hubli May 2008. They were also accused of planting a live bomb on the Dharwad-Belgaum road. This points to the presence of Hindutva terror suspects in the state.
The police had initially blamed SIMI for both the Hubli court blast and the planting ofthe live bomb.
Police have also seized live bombs, gun powder, lethal weapons, Rs 11.08 lakh in cash, gold, silver and two motorbikes from them. Apart from Nagaraj Jambagi (24), a resident of Heggur Plot in Bilagi taluk; the arrested persons include Ramesh Pawar (24), Basavaraj Diggi (22), Manjunath Binjawadagi (19), Deepak Govindakar (28), Lingaraj Jalgar (24) - all from Bagalkot; Basavaraj Rugi (20) of Honakuppi village in Gokak taluk; Hanamanth Sainasakali (22), and Channabasappa Hunasagi (35) of Indi taluk in Bijapur.
Ofcourse although the police do not seem to be forthcoming on divulging the political connections of the group and sharing the important information about its alleged Sri Ram Sena connections anyone familiar with the Hubli-Dharwad region would have many other details about the gang of criminals, their political affiliations and their other deeds.
Many residents of Bagalkot have been witness to the Trishul Deekshe ceremony in the area wherein many of the arrested had wholeheartedly participated. For the uninitiated it may be told that VHP international secretary Praveen Togadia had popularised this trident-wielding programme as part of mobilising Hindus. Nagaraj Hollbasappa Jambagi, the gang's leader has also been closely associated with Sri Ram Sene,(SRS) a 'saffron front'.
A social worker from Hubli told 'Mailtoday' (Jan 13, 2009) that the '[b]ombings were part of an effort to set up a militant Hindutva organisation.' "Jambagi is the right hand man of SRS chief Pramod Mutalik (known as Karnataka's Togadia), who is setting up a Rashtra Raksha Army. He does not believe in the police or the armed forces. His people are given weapon's training. There are several such groups here. They had a five-day training camp in Koodala Sangama recently."
It may be known that Pramod Mutalik happened to be the former Convener of the South India Unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and of the Bajrang Dal. He was dismissed 2005-06 following inflammatory speeches made by him on the Baba Budan Giri issue and is presently the founder and National President of the Rashtriya Hindu Sena and of the Shreerama Sene, active in Karnataka. Mutalik had recently affiliated with the Shiv Sena of Bal Thackeray.
Few months back when Karnataka witnessed anti-Christian violence.Shreerama Sene had publicly claimed credit for the attacks and desecrations of Christian churches, schools and convents and thereafter for the attacks on protesting Christian youth, women and children by invading Christian properties.This open violence had forced Christians taking to blocking the streets in protest against police complicity and inaction against the fanatics.
The fact that the Karnataka happens to be a BJP ruled state where the police allegedly face political pressure and were unwilling to go on record about the Sangh Parivar links of the accused, the establishment would not be too willing to expose the real connections of the criminal-terrorists. Taking into consideration this dilly-dallying on part of the government organisations who had been fighting for communal harmony have raised a strong demand 'to arrest the National President of SRS Pramod Mutalik'.(Hubli court blast: Demand to arrest Shri Ram Sena chief, S.O. News service, Tuesday, 13 January 2009)
Koppal: There was a strong demand in Koppal by All Progressive confederation (Pragati Sanghatana) demanding the state to arrest the National president of Shri Ram Sena Pramod Mutalik immediately whose organisation is responsible for the blasts carried out in Hubli court.
Speaking on the occasion, the State president of Karnataka Sauharda Vedike Basavraj Suli bhavi said that Pramod Mutalik is responsible for creating an atmosphere of disharmony and hatred in the state. He is a liability in a peaceful and his organization can cause a lot of harm in the society. His organization is involved in Hubli court blast and a failed attempt to blast the NH Bridge in Dharward. It is very much possible that the Shri Ram sena is positively involved in this. ..
He also expressed his anger that only the activists are arrested and not the chief of the Shri Ram Sena. It should be noted that Pramod Mutalik was an active activist of Bajarang dal earlier, later he left that organisation to form Shri Ram Sena. He also had declared that he will form a suicide bomber for which he already has enrolled many of them.
With pressure building up for his arrest, Pramod Mutalik has flatly denied any knowledge of Jambagi and his gang. Much on the lines of his Sangh veterans who were put on the defensive when their links with Sadhvi Pragya and others in the Malegaon bomb blast case became apparent, he declared that they do not hold SRS membership, although he promised legal aid to the accused. . It is a different matter that none from the Sangh Parivar network maintains any membership register which suits them in dissociating the 'parent organisation' from any wrongdoing of its associates. Inadvertently or so Pramod Mutalik was imitating his other Sangh Parivar veterans especially BJP leadership which had denied any knowledge of the Malegaon accused but had readily agreed to defend them.He was even ready to 'start an agitation to defend them.'
Indian Express (13 Jan 2009) further adds that according to IGP Auradkar Jambagi had procured the bombs from one Hanumant Sainsakali. a 22 year old technical diploma student from Indi on the Maharashtra border. It is worth noting that investigations in the aftermath of the bomb blasts in the Hubli courts had shown that the bomb was similar to the one used in the May 18, 2007 blast at Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid.
One needs to remember that when the Malegaon investigations had started involvement of Hindutva terrorists in similar incidents had also come under scanner. The Mecca Masjid blasts as well as blasts in Samjhauta Express which had remaind unsolved were further investigated. Although initially the ATS Maharashtra had not deciphered any connection with Karnataka with the Malegaon blasts as of now there seems to be a qualitative change in the picture.Karnataka connection to the Malegaon blast is also being explored.
As we go to the press a team from ATS, Maharashtra is camping in Karnataka to hunt for one Pravin Mutalik. A report filed by a reporter of the Times of India tells us that ( TOI, Jan 18, 2009, ATS team in K'taka to nab suspect) Mutalik could be 'one of the three bomb planters in the Malegaon case.' "As per our investigation Mutalik was very much present in Malegaon alongwith wanted accused Ramji Kalangasara and Sandeep Dange.' Mutalik has been termed as a technical expert.
There is no denying the fact that Hubli, which happens to be a small town situated 425 km northwest of Bangalore, and which had remained more famous for many stalwarts of Hindustani and Karnataka classical music living in its environs, is a pale image of itself today. No lover of classical music would have ever imagined in their wildest dreams that a day would arise when it would be witness to a music of a different kind.
But as things stand today Huballi (Hubli's new name, the name Hubballi literally means "Hu" - flower and "Balli" - creeper in Kannada.) seems to be metamorphosing into 'birthplace' of Hindutva terror in Karnataka and a strong link in the emerging pan Indian network of Hindutva terror.
Countercurrents.org
(A Karnataka dacoit with links to a radical Hindu rightwing group has confessed to having carried out the Hubli district court bombing of May10, 2008.
The blast took place as the first phase of polling for the Karnataka Assembly elections was on - in a magistrate's courtroom where cases against top SIMI leaders including Safdar Nagori were scheduled to be heard two days later.
- Dacoit with Hindu Outfit links behind Hubli blast, Indian Express, January 13, 2009)
Does anybody remember the bomb blasts in Hubli (Karnataka, May 2008) courts last year when preparations were on for the coming state assembly elections ? These blasts which took place on a holiday did not witness any casuality although they extensively damaged the court premises. But the most important part played by these blasts was the atmosphere it created in favour of the BJP.
As it always happens after any such mysterious sounding blasts, many innocents belonging to minority community were illegally detained and quite a few among them also were booked for their 'role' in the blasts. The police had promptly claimed that 'sleeper cells belonging to LeT and SIMI' had executed the blasts.
One still remembers the manner in which Sangh Parivar had tried to exploit the bomb blasts in its favour. The former Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, had even used the bomb blasts case to attack the Congress led UPA government at the centre for 'soft-pedalling the issue concerning terror' and accusing it of responsibility' for the increase in terrorist activities in the country'.
The Hubli bar association had followed many other bar associations in different parts of the country to immediately pass a 'unanimous' resolution that they would not defend any 'terrorists' supposed to be involved in the blasts. And when a conscientous lawyer named Ibrahim Jalagir tried to file bail application on behalf of the detained he came under organised attack. His office was vandalised and he alongwith his colleague were badly beaten up by these hoodlums.
Now when the BJP government is firmly in the saddle and the accused in the bomb blasts case have already spent months together behind jails, has come a news which is definitely not soothing to the ears of the the saffron commanders.The IGP of North Karnataka Ragavendera Auradhkar recently addressed a press conference telling the media that the mysterious bomb blasts which had struck the Hubli courts last year were the handiwork of a criminal gang led by one Nagraj Jambagi .
According to the IGP it was the same team which had planted a bomb on the Belgaum-Hubli highway last year.However, this bomb failed to explode as it was raining heavily. After high drama, the bomb squad had finally retrieved the bomb.In fact Nagraj had led the gang which was also involved in seven murder cases in North Karnataka and several cases of abduction also. Interestingly the police had stumbled upon this gang while investigating the murder of a Bagalkot businessman.
Reporting about the incident, Mailtoday writes (13 Jan 2009)
Hindutva terror has struck Karnataka. The Karnataka police arrested nine persons with Sangh Parivar links for allegedly setting off a bomb in the court of the junior first class magistrate in Hubli May 2008. They were also accused of planting a live bomb on the Dharwad-Belgaum road. This points to the presence of Hindutva terror suspects in the state.
The police had initially blamed SIMI for both the Hubli court blast and the planting ofthe live bomb.
Police have also seized live bombs, gun powder, lethal weapons, Rs 11.08 lakh in cash, gold, silver and two motorbikes from them. Apart from Nagaraj Jambagi (24), a resident of Heggur Plot in Bilagi taluk; the arrested persons include Ramesh Pawar (24), Basavaraj Diggi (22), Manjunath Binjawadagi (19), Deepak Govindakar (28), Lingaraj Jalgar (24) - all from Bagalkot; Basavaraj Rugi (20) of Honakuppi village in Gokak taluk; Hanamanth Sainasakali (22), and Channabasappa Hunasagi (35) of Indi taluk in Bijapur.
Ofcourse although the police do not seem to be forthcoming on divulging the political connections of the group and sharing the important information about its alleged Sri Ram Sena connections anyone familiar with the Hubli-Dharwad region would have many other details about the gang of criminals, their political affiliations and their other deeds.
Many residents of Bagalkot have been witness to the Trishul Deekshe ceremony in the area wherein many of the arrested had wholeheartedly participated. For the uninitiated it may be told that VHP international secretary Praveen Togadia had popularised this trident-wielding programme as part of mobilising Hindus. Nagaraj Hollbasappa Jambagi, the gang's leader has also been closely associated with Sri Ram Sene,(SRS) a 'saffron front'.
A social worker from Hubli told 'Mailtoday' (Jan 13, 2009) that the '[b]ombings were part of an effort to set up a militant Hindutva organisation.' "Jambagi is the right hand man of SRS chief Pramod Mutalik (known as Karnataka's Togadia), who is setting up a Rashtra Raksha Army. He does not believe in the police or the armed forces. His people are given weapon's training. There are several such groups here. They had a five-day training camp in Koodala Sangama recently."
It may be known that Pramod Mutalik happened to be the former Convener of the South India Unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and of the Bajrang Dal. He was dismissed 2005-06 following inflammatory speeches made by him on the Baba Budan Giri issue and is presently the founder and National President of the Rashtriya Hindu Sena and of the Shreerama Sene, active in Karnataka. Mutalik had recently affiliated with the Shiv Sena of Bal Thackeray.
Few months back when Karnataka witnessed anti-Christian violence.Shreerama Sene had publicly claimed credit for the attacks and desecrations of Christian churches, schools and convents and thereafter for the attacks on protesting Christian youth, women and children by invading Christian properties.This open violence had forced Christians taking to blocking the streets in protest against police complicity and inaction against the fanatics.
The fact that the Karnataka happens to be a BJP ruled state where the police allegedly face political pressure and were unwilling to go on record about the Sangh Parivar links of the accused, the establishment would not be too willing to expose the real connections of the criminal-terrorists. Taking into consideration this dilly-dallying on part of the government organisations who had been fighting for communal harmony have raised a strong demand 'to arrest the National President of SRS Pramod Mutalik'.(Hubli court blast: Demand to arrest Shri Ram Sena chief, S.O. News service, Tuesday, 13 January 2009)
Koppal: There was a strong demand in Koppal by All Progressive confederation (Pragati Sanghatana) demanding the state to arrest the National president of Shri Ram Sena Pramod Mutalik immediately whose organisation is responsible for the blasts carried out in Hubli court.
Speaking on the occasion, the State president of Karnataka Sauharda Vedike Basavraj Suli bhavi said that Pramod Mutalik is responsible for creating an atmosphere of disharmony and hatred in the state. He is a liability in a peaceful and his organization can cause a lot of harm in the society. His organization is involved in Hubli court blast and a failed attempt to blast the NH Bridge in Dharward. It is very much possible that the Shri Ram sena is positively involved in this. ..
He also expressed his anger that only the activists are arrested and not the chief of the Shri Ram Sena. It should be noted that Pramod Mutalik was an active activist of Bajarang dal earlier, later he left that organisation to form Shri Ram Sena. He also had declared that he will form a suicide bomber for which he already has enrolled many of them.
With pressure building up for his arrest, Pramod Mutalik has flatly denied any knowledge of Jambagi and his gang. Much on the lines of his Sangh veterans who were put on the defensive when their links with Sadhvi Pragya and others in the Malegaon bomb blast case became apparent, he declared that they do not hold SRS membership, although he promised legal aid to the accused. . It is a different matter that none from the Sangh Parivar network maintains any membership register which suits them in dissociating the 'parent organisation' from any wrongdoing of its associates. Inadvertently or so Pramod Mutalik was imitating his other Sangh Parivar veterans especially BJP leadership which had denied any knowledge of the Malegaon accused but had readily agreed to defend them.He was even ready to 'start an agitation to defend them.'
Indian Express (13 Jan 2009) further adds that according to IGP Auradkar Jambagi had procured the bombs from one Hanumant Sainsakali. a 22 year old technical diploma student from Indi on the Maharashtra border. It is worth noting that investigations in the aftermath of the bomb blasts in the Hubli courts had shown that the bomb was similar to the one used in the May 18, 2007 blast at Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid.
One needs to remember that when the Malegaon investigations had started involvement of Hindutva terrorists in similar incidents had also come under scanner. The Mecca Masjid blasts as well as blasts in Samjhauta Express which had remaind unsolved were further investigated. Although initially the ATS Maharashtra had not deciphered any connection with Karnataka with the Malegaon blasts as of now there seems to be a qualitative change in the picture.Karnataka connection to the Malegaon blast is also being explored.
As we go to the press a team from ATS, Maharashtra is camping in Karnataka to hunt for one Pravin Mutalik. A report filed by a reporter of the Times of India tells us that ( TOI, Jan 18, 2009, ATS team in K'taka to nab suspect) Mutalik could be 'one of the three bomb planters in the Malegaon case.' "As per our investigation Mutalik was very much present in Malegaon alongwith wanted accused Ramji Kalangasara and Sandeep Dange.' Mutalik has been termed as a technical expert.
There is no denying the fact that Hubli, which happens to be a small town situated 425 km northwest of Bangalore, and which had remained more famous for many stalwarts of Hindustani and Karnataka classical music living in its environs, is a pale image of itself today. No lover of classical music would have ever imagined in their wildest dreams that a day would arise when it would be witness to a music of a different kind.
But as things stand today Huballi (Hubli's new name, the name Hubballi literally means "Hu" - flower and "Balli" - creeper in Kannada.) seems to be metamorphosing into 'birthplace' of Hindutva terror in Karnataka and a strong link in the emerging pan Indian network of Hindutva terror.
THE JERUSALEM DECLARATION ON CHRISTIAN ZIONISM
29-Aug-06
Local Heads of Churches In Jerusalem
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
Christian Zionism is a modern theological and political movement that embraces the most extreme ideological positions of Zionism, thereby becoming detrimental to a just peace within Palestine and Israel. The Christian Zionist programme provides a worldview where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. In its extreme form, it places an emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ's love and justice today.
We categorically reject Christian Zionist doctrines as false teaching that corrupts the biblical message of love, justice and reconciliation.
We further reject the contemporary alliance of Christian Zionist leaders and organizations with elements in the governments of Israel and the United States that are presently imposing their unilateral pre-emptive borders and domination over Palestine. This inevitably leads to unending cycles of violence that undermine the security of all peoples of the Middle East and the rest of the world.
We reject the teachings of Christian Zionism that facilitate and support these policies as they advance racial exclusivity and perpetual war rather than the gospel of universal love, redemption and reconciliation taught by Jesus Christ. Rather than condemn the world to the doom of Armageddon we call upon everyone to liberate themselves from the ideologies of militarism and occupation. Instead, let them pursue the healing of the nations!
We call upon Christians in Churches on every continent to pray for the Palestinian and Israeli people, both of whom are suffering as victims of occupation and militarism. These discriminative actions are turning Palestine into impoverished ghettos surrounded by exclusive Israeli settlements. The establishment of the illegal settlements and the construction of the Separation Wall on confiscated Palestinian land undermines the viability of a Palestinian state as well as peace and security in the entire region.
We call upon all Churches that remain silent, to break their silence and speak for reconciliation with justice in the Holy Land.
Therefore, we commit ourselves to the following principles as an alternative way:
We affirm that all people are created in the image of God. In turn they are called to honor the dignity of every human being and to respect their inalienable rights.
We affirm that Israelis and Palestinians are capable of living together within peace, justice and security.
We affirm that Palestinians are one people, both Muslim and Christian. We reject all attempts to subvert and fragment their unity.
We call upon all people to reject the narrow world view of Christian Zionism and other ideologies that privilege one people at the expense of others.
We are committed to non-violent resistance as the most effective means to end the illegal occupation in order to attain a just and lasting peace.
With urgency we warn that Christian Zionism and its alliances are justifying colonization, apartheid and empire-building.
God demands that justice be done. No enduring peace, security or reconciliation is possible without the foundation of justice. The demands of justice will not disappear. The struggle for justice must be pursued diligently and persistently but non-violently.
"What does the Lord require of you, to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
This is where we take our stand. We stand for justice. We can do no other. Justice alone guarantees a peace that will lead to reconciliation with a life of security and prosperity for all the peoples of our Land. By standing on the side of justice, we open ourselves to the work of peace - and working for peace makes us children of God.
"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Cor 5:19)
His Beattitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Latin Patriarchate, Jerusalem
Archbishop Swerios Malki Mourad,
Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem
Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal,
Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East
Bishop Munib Younan,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
Local Heads of Churches In Jerusalem
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
Christian Zionism is a modern theological and political movement that embraces the most extreme ideological positions of Zionism, thereby becoming detrimental to a just peace within Palestine and Israel. The Christian Zionist programme provides a worldview where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. In its extreme form, it places an emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ's love and justice today.
We categorically reject Christian Zionist doctrines as false teaching that corrupts the biblical message of love, justice and reconciliation.
We further reject the contemporary alliance of Christian Zionist leaders and organizations with elements in the governments of Israel and the United States that are presently imposing their unilateral pre-emptive borders and domination over Palestine. This inevitably leads to unending cycles of violence that undermine the security of all peoples of the Middle East and the rest of the world.
We reject the teachings of Christian Zionism that facilitate and support these policies as they advance racial exclusivity and perpetual war rather than the gospel of universal love, redemption and reconciliation taught by Jesus Christ. Rather than condemn the world to the doom of Armageddon we call upon everyone to liberate themselves from the ideologies of militarism and occupation. Instead, let them pursue the healing of the nations!
We call upon Christians in Churches on every continent to pray for the Palestinian and Israeli people, both of whom are suffering as victims of occupation and militarism. These discriminative actions are turning Palestine into impoverished ghettos surrounded by exclusive Israeli settlements. The establishment of the illegal settlements and the construction of the Separation Wall on confiscated Palestinian land undermines the viability of a Palestinian state as well as peace and security in the entire region.
We call upon all Churches that remain silent, to break their silence and speak for reconciliation with justice in the Holy Land.
Therefore, we commit ourselves to the following principles as an alternative way:
We affirm that all people are created in the image of God. In turn they are called to honor the dignity of every human being and to respect their inalienable rights.
We affirm that Israelis and Palestinians are capable of living together within peace, justice and security.
We affirm that Palestinians are one people, both Muslim and Christian. We reject all attempts to subvert and fragment their unity.
We call upon all people to reject the narrow world view of Christian Zionism and other ideologies that privilege one people at the expense of others.
We are committed to non-violent resistance as the most effective means to end the illegal occupation in order to attain a just and lasting peace.
With urgency we warn that Christian Zionism and its alliances are justifying colonization, apartheid and empire-building.
God demands that justice be done. No enduring peace, security or reconciliation is possible without the foundation of justice. The demands of justice will not disappear. The struggle for justice must be pursued diligently and persistently but non-violently.
"What does the Lord require of you, to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
This is where we take our stand. We stand for justice. We can do no other. Justice alone guarantees a peace that will lead to reconciliation with a life of security and prosperity for all the peoples of our Land. By standing on the side of justice, we open ourselves to the work of peace - and working for peace makes us children of God.
"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Cor 5:19)
His Beattitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Latin Patriarchate, Jerusalem
Archbishop Swerios Malki Mourad,
Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem
Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal,
Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East
Bishop Munib Younan,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
Letter from the former PM of Malaysia to Obama
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 2009
Dear Mr. President,
I did not vote for you in the Presidential Election because I am Malaysian.
But I consider myself one of your constituents because what you do or say will affect me and my country as well.
I welcome your promise for change. Certainly your country, the United States of America needs a lot of changes.
That is because America and Americans have become the most hated people in the world. Even Europeans dislike your arrogance. Yet you were once admired and liked because you freed a lot of countries from conquest and subjugation.
It is the custom on New Year's day for people to make resolutions. You must have listed your good resolutions already. But may I politely suggest that you also resolve to do the following in pursuit of Change.
1) Stop killing people. The United States is too fond of killing people in order to achieve its objectives. You call it war, but today's wars are not about professional soldiers fighting and killing each other. It is about killing people, ordinary innocent people by the hundreds of thousands. Whole countries will be devastated.
War is primitive, the cavemen's way of dealing with a problem. Stop your arms build up and your planning for future wars.
2) Stop indiscriminate support of Israeli killers with your money and your weapons. The planes and the bombs killing the people of Gaza are from you.
3) Stop applying sanctions against countries which cannot do the same against you.
In Iraq your sanctions killed 500,000 children through depriving them of medicine and food. Others were born deformed.
What have you achieved with this cruelty? Nothing except the hatred of the victims and right-thinking people.
4) Stop your scientists and researchers from inventing new and more diabolical weapons to kill more people more efficiently.
5) Stop your arms manufacturers from producing them. Stop your sales of arms to the world. It is blood money that you earn. It is un-Christian.
6) Stop trying to democratize all the countries of the world. Democracy may work for the United States but it does not always work for other countries.
Don't kill people because they are not democratic. Your crusade to democratize countries has killed more people than the authoritarian Governments which you overthrew. And you have not succeeded anyway.
7) Stop the casinos which you call financial institutions. Stop hedge funds, derivatives and currency trading. Stop banks from lending non-existent money by the billions.
Regulate and supervise your banks. Jail the miscreants who made profits from abusing the system.
8) Sign the Kyoto Protocol and other international agreements.
9) Show respect for the United Nations.
I have many other resolutions for change which I think you should consider and undertake.
But I think you have enough on your plate for this 2009th year of the Christian Era.
If you can do only a few of what I suggest, you will be remembered by the world as a great leader. Then the United States will again be the most admired nation. Your embassies will be able to take down the high fences and razor-wire coils that surround them.
May I wish you a Happy New Year and a great Presidency.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad
(Former Prime Minister of Malaysia)
January 1, 2009
Dear Mr. President,
I did not vote for you in the Presidential Election because I am Malaysian.
But I consider myself one of your constituents because what you do or say will affect me and my country as well.
I welcome your promise for change. Certainly your country, the United States of America needs a lot of changes.
That is because America and Americans have become the most hated people in the world. Even Europeans dislike your arrogance. Yet you were once admired and liked because you freed a lot of countries from conquest and subjugation.
It is the custom on New Year's day for people to make resolutions. You must have listed your good resolutions already. But may I politely suggest that you also resolve to do the following in pursuit of Change.
1) Stop killing people. The United States is too fond of killing people in order to achieve its objectives. You call it war, but today's wars are not about professional soldiers fighting and killing each other. It is about killing people, ordinary innocent people by the hundreds of thousands. Whole countries will be devastated.
War is primitive, the cavemen's way of dealing with a problem. Stop your arms build up and your planning for future wars.
2) Stop indiscriminate support of Israeli killers with your money and your weapons. The planes and the bombs killing the people of Gaza are from you.
3) Stop applying sanctions against countries which cannot do the same against you.
In Iraq your sanctions killed 500,000 children through depriving them of medicine and food. Others were born deformed.
What have you achieved with this cruelty? Nothing except the hatred of the victims and right-thinking people.
4) Stop your scientists and researchers from inventing new and more diabolical weapons to kill more people more efficiently.
5) Stop your arms manufacturers from producing them. Stop your sales of arms to the world. It is blood money that you earn. It is un-Christian.
6) Stop trying to democratize all the countries of the world. Democracy may work for the United States but it does not always work for other countries.
Don't kill people because they are not democratic. Your crusade to democratize countries has killed more people than the authoritarian Governments which you overthrew. And you have not succeeded anyway.
7) Stop the casinos which you call financial institutions. Stop hedge funds, derivatives and currency trading. Stop banks from lending non-existent money by the billions.
Regulate and supervise your banks. Jail the miscreants who made profits from abusing the system.
8) Sign the Kyoto Protocol and other international agreements.
9) Show respect for the United Nations.
I have many other resolutions for change which I think you should consider and undertake.
But I think you have enough on your plate for this 2009th year of the Christian Era.
If you can do only a few of what I suggest, you will be remembered by the world as a great leader. Then the United States will again be the most admired nation. Your embassies will be able to take down the high fences and razor-wire coils that surround them.
May I wish you a Happy New Year and a great Presidency.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad
(Former Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPECIAL ENVOY'S, SO WHERE IS THE CHANGE ??
by Feroze Mithiborwala
23rd January 2009
President Obama in his urge to show the world that one of the first acts of his administration will be to get actively involved in the Palestine / Israel conflict and the larger Arab arena as well as the South Asian theatre has made three appointments. But the imbalance inherent in the appointments of George J. Mitchell as special envoy to Palestine / Israel and the Arab states, Richard Holbrooke to Afghanistan / Pakistan and Dennis Ross to Iran have sowed the seeds for further destruction and war.
Of the three, George J. Mitchell is the only honest negotiator in the Obama team with a track record of proven results in Ireland. He is a true Democrat, in the legacy of Jimmy Carter, with both a commitment and a conviction to bring peace to Palestine and Israel and thus all the region.
Whilst announcing Mr. Mitchell's appointment, the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who herself is beholden to the Israeli Lobby and is a Zionist herself, did not even mention Palestine and stated that G. J. Mitchell would undertake to negotiate between Israel and the Arab States. It was only after Mr. Mitchell clearly mentioned Palestine as being the key to the region, did Hillary refer to the matter.
One may also recall that Hillary had also threatened to "nuke Iran" and today she is the Secretary of State.
Moreover President Obama himself is giving very little room for Mr. Mitchell to involve all the representative forces within Palestine.
Unfortunately Obama still believes that ex-President Mahmood Abbas enjoys the support of his people, moreover since his constitutional term expired on 9th January 2009. The Palestine Authority is in tatters due to the Israeli intransigence and yet Obama wants to exclude the democratically elected Hamas government from the dialogue. This is a sure recipe for a guaranteed disaster and will only serve to reduce any space for maneuver for Mr. Mitchell who faces the most daunting and onerous task.
Especially after the Israeli genocidal attack on Gaza, where Obama chose to keep mum, the will of the Palestinian people to resist the occupation has grown and so has the global support for the cause of the Palestinian nation. Even during Obama's inaugural speech, he chose to desist from condemning the "shoah" in Gaza that was witnessed across every household in the world and had miraculously (?) come to a halt two days prior to the swearing in of the new president.
Richard Holbrooke the special envoy for Afghanistan & Pakistan is a hawk and is currently part of the neoconservative organization, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). Mr. Holbrooke is also referred to as a Hillary Neoconservative. He has co-authored a statement with the extreme hawk and Neocon, Dennis Ross that openly threatens military action against Iran.
Holbrooke has also been part of the National Endowment for Democracy that advocates "regime change". Holbrooke is also part of the "Council for Foreign Relations" which is the bastion of the Israeli lobby and it is the CFR that dominates and determines US foreign policy.
Dennis Ross who is the special envoy to Iran is a hardened Neocon, an Iran baiter and an Israel-Firster. He supported the war on Iraq which Obama has opposed. Ross has also served with the pro-Israel think tank, Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) as well as with the "Jewish People Policy Planning Institute" (JPPPI), based in Jerusalem.
Dennis Ross has co-authored the report "Meeting the Challenge: US Policy towards Iranian Nuclear Development". This report alludes to an Iranian nuclear programme that has been debunked by the CIA National Intelligence Report (Nov 2007) that said that the Iran nuclear program was on hold.
The report calls for the military encirclement of Iran, pressure on Iran to abrogate its nuclear programme and thus leading to its logical extension where "war becomes inevitable".
It is clear to all those who understand the regions of the Middle East and South Asia that the Obama appointees are doomed to fail. If Obama was serious in pursuing peace then Holbrooke and Ross would not have been the considered choice.
And failure, as per the calculations of the Neoconservatives and the Zionists will lead to war.
The call for war under a McCain would have not found support either within America or the world at large, but the Neoconservative / Zionist calculation is to have a supposed liberal called Obama, who having tried to negotiate and use diplomacy and having failed, will then appeal for war.
Obama in his inaugural speech had also stated that,
"Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred" &
"We will not apologise for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense"
and more ominously he further states that,
"For those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughter of innocents (very applicable to Israel), we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken, you cannot outlast us & we will defeat you".
All of the above are classic Bush-Neoconservatism, couched in the suave & sophisticated liberalism of a Black president, with Hussein as his middle name.
And therein lies the danger !!
Friday, January 23, 2009
"SHRADHANJALI AND SARVADHARMA PRARTHANA SABHA"
AWAMI BHARAT
SHAHEED HEMANT KARKARE, SHAHEED ASHOK KAMTE AND SHAHEED VIJAY SALASKAR AMAR RAHE !!
"SHRADHANJALI AND SARVADHARMA PRARTHANA SABHA"
VENUE: BEHIND ST. XAVIER'S COLLEGE,
AT THE CORPORATION BANK, NEAR RANG BHAWAN, MUMBAI.
DATE: 26th January 2008 / TIME: 5pm to 6pm
REPUBLIC DAY, JANUARY 26, '09 WILL MARK THE MONTH TO....
THE DAY WHEN OUR CITY WAS ATTACKED BY TERRORISTS.
ON THIS DAY WE APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF MUMBAI AND INDIA AS WELL, TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES OF THE BRAVE PEOPLE, THE POLICE, THE ARMY, THE FIREMEN AND ALL THE OTHERS WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES TO DEFEND OUR LAND.
IN THIS TIME OF WAR MONGERING, AS BOTH THE PEOPLE OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN STAND RESOLUTELY AGAINST THE DESIGNS OF THE US ZIONIST EMPIRE FOR SOUTH ASIA & THE RELIGIOUS FANATICS / TERRORISTS WHO ARE THE TOOLS OF THE IMPERIALISTS, WE NEED TO EXPOSE THE POLITICS OF TERROR THAT ARE LEADING US TOWRDS WAR.
UNDOUBTEDLY IT WAS THE ATS CHIEF AND HIS TEAM WHO SYMBOLISED THE BRAVERY OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE AND THUS WE WILL BE GATHERING AT THE SITE WHERE THE ATS OFFICERS WERE SLAIN.
CALL TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE BRAVE MARTYRS OF THE MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE TO LIGHT CANDLES & SING SONGS OF PEACE AND COMMUNAL AMITY.
WE WILL ASSEMBLE AT THE SPOT WERE THE MARTYRS LOST THEIR LIVES IN DEFENSE OF THE NATION,
S A T Y A M E V J A Y A T E !!
ORGANIZERS
FEROZE MITHIBORWALA, KISHORE JAGTAP, DILIP BANSODE, MULANIWASI MALA, SAYEED KHAN, VARSHA V V, AMOL MADAME, JAGDISH NAGARKAR, SHRIDHAR SHIRSAGAR, SANJAY SHINDE, ARIF KAPADIA, CHETNA BIRJE, RESHMA JAGTAP, JYOTI BEDEKAR, AFAQ AZAD, WINNIE THOMAS, TITO EAPEN, AVINASH KAMBLE, MUNAWWAR KHAN, HARSHAWARDHAN VARTAK, GHAZALA AZAD, IRFAN MULLA, INAYAT GAURAV KARIYA, HUSSAIN, ANIL, ISTIAQUE MUKAMMAD,
VIDYARTHI BHARTI, DALIT INTELLECTUAL FORUM, PHULE - AMBEDKARI VICHAR MANCH, YUVA SARKAR, MUSLIM INTELLECTUAL FORUM, YUVAK KRANTI DAL, OBC INTELLECTUAL FORUM & GANAI SANSKRUTIK ANDOLAN
SHAHEED HEMANT KARKARE, SHAHEED ASHOK KAMTE AND SHAHEED VIJAY SALASKAR AMAR RAHE !!
"SHRADHANJALI AND SARVADHARMA PRARTHANA SABHA"
VENUE: BEHIND ST. XAVIER'S COLLEGE,
AT THE CORPORATION BANK, NEAR RANG BHAWAN, MUMBAI.
DATE: 26th January 2008 / TIME: 5pm to 6pm
REPUBLIC DAY, JANUARY 26, '09 WILL MARK THE MONTH TO....
THE DAY WHEN OUR CITY WAS ATTACKED BY TERRORISTS.
ON THIS DAY WE APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF MUMBAI AND INDIA AS WELL, TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES OF THE BRAVE PEOPLE, THE POLICE, THE ARMY, THE FIREMEN AND ALL THE OTHERS WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES TO DEFEND OUR LAND.
IN THIS TIME OF WAR MONGERING, AS BOTH THE PEOPLE OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN STAND RESOLUTELY AGAINST THE DESIGNS OF THE US ZIONIST EMPIRE FOR SOUTH ASIA & THE RELIGIOUS FANATICS / TERRORISTS WHO ARE THE TOOLS OF THE IMPERIALISTS, WE NEED TO EXPOSE THE POLITICS OF TERROR THAT ARE LEADING US TOWRDS WAR.
UNDOUBTEDLY IT WAS THE ATS CHIEF AND HIS TEAM WHO SYMBOLISED THE BRAVERY OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE AND THUS WE WILL BE GATHERING AT THE SITE WHERE THE ATS OFFICERS WERE SLAIN.
CALL TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE BRAVE MARTYRS OF THE MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE TO LIGHT CANDLES & SING SONGS OF PEACE AND COMMUNAL AMITY.
WE WILL ASSEMBLE AT THE SPOT WERE THE MARTYRS LOST THEIR LIVES IN DEFENSE OF THE NATION,
S A T Y A M E V J A Y A T E !!
ORGANIZERS
FEROZE MITHIBORWALA, KISHORE JAGTAP, DILIP BANSODE, MULANIWASI MALA, SAYEED KHAN, VARSHA V V, AMOL MADAME, JAGDISH NAGARKAR, SHRIDHAR SHIRSAGAR, SANJAY SHINDE, ARIF KAPADIA, CHETNA BIRJE, RESHMA JAGTAP, JYOTI BEDEKAR, AFAQ AZAD, WINNIE THOMAS, TITO EAPEN, AVINASH KAMBLE, MUNAWWAR KHAN, HARSHAWARDHAN VARTAK, GHAZALA AZAD, IRFAN MULLA, INAYAT GAURAV KARIYA, HUSSAIN, ANIL, ISTIAQUE MUKAMMAD,
VIDYARTHI BHARTI, DALIT INTELLECTUAL FORUM, PHULE - AMBEDKARI VICHAR MANCH, YUVA SARKAR, MUSLIM INTELLECTUAL FORUM, YUVAK KRANTI DAL, OBC INTELLECTUAL FORUM & GANAI SANSKRUTIK ANDOLAN
Monday, January 19, 2009
The victory of the Palestinian Resistance & Israel's unilateral withdrawal
A W A M I B H A R A T
The Palestinian Resistance has been victorious whilst the Israeli Nazi army withdraws in ignominy and global wrath. The People of Gaza have withstood the F-16's, Helicopter gunships, tanks, ships and phosphorous attacks and have done so with extraordinary courage.
All that Israel achieved was the wanton destruction & death of children and civilians and residential neighbourhoods that included schools, hospitals, government buildings as well that of the United Nations. More than 1200 dead and 5000 seriously injured by the mercenary Israeli army.
The resistance led by Hamas still stands in defiance and the People of Palestine and the world stand in solidarity of the brave and courageous 1.5 million Gazan polulation who are challenging the collective might of the Israeli and American warmachine.
Clearly Hamas and the Palestinian National resistance has triumphed and the Zionist colonial project of genocidal ethnic cleansing has once again been vanquished. Palestine in 2009 and Lebanon 2006 have forever shattered the myth of Israeli military supremacy and have proved that the Palestinain resistance that stands at the vanguard of the global resistance to US-Zionist Imperialism will ultimately suceed to create an Independent state of Palestinen with Jerusalem as its capital.
We also salute the people across the world who took to the streets and besieged their governments. We also salute the rising tide of global Jewry against the Jewish Zionist counterparts. This struggle will prove critical for the just resolution of the Palestine - Israel conflict. We need to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people as they join the struggle against Zionist Imperialism.
We also salute the leadership of South America lead by Chavez of Venezuela and Morales of Bolivia for taking a clear position against Israel, unlike the collaborator regimes of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, we must add. The anger of the Arab street, social and political movements will lead to democratic revolutions that will soon sweep away these dictators and monarchs.
With Israel having lost both the strategic and moral war, the Zionists will resort to even more desperate measures. The "Shoah" promised by the Israeli leadership is still a possibility. For the larger agenda of total ethnic cleansing, the Zionists need a larger war that will envelope both West Asia and the South Asian nations. In the absence of a larger war theatre, without the direct involvement of the US and NATO, Israel cannot succeed.
And thus the coming war on Iran !!
We need to see the growing tensions between India and Pakistan that are being fanned by the Imperial powers in this light as well.
The patriotic people of both India and Pakistan can together avert a global catastrophe if we refuse to be drawn in to the agenda of nationalist jingoism and war mongering.
We the People of Asia need to stand as one, to defeat the designs of both the Israeli European colonial power and that of the US and the EU.
This is a both a time of sorrow and triumph. Sorrow because of the deaths of thousands of children and a sense of triumph because of the victory of the Palestinian resistance.
Yes the souls of the children and resistance fighters of the Warsaw ghetto and found a new voice and have been resurrected in Gaza. And with resurrection, comes a new life and a new will to struggle and to change the world.
Long Live Palestine !!
Towards a Global Intifada !!
Feroze Mithiborwala, Kishore Jagtap, Varsha V V, Sayeed Khan, Amol Madame, Chetna Birje, Arif Kapadia, Reshma Jatap, Afaq Azad, Irfan Mulla, Inayat Akhtar, Mulniwasi Mala, Jyoti Badekar, Jagdish Nagarkar, Gaurav Karia, Avinash Kamble, Harshavardhan Vartak
98208-97517 / 93245-14101
feroze.moses777@gmail.com
The Palestinian Resistance has been victorious whilst the Israeli Nazi army withdraws in ignominy and global wrath. The People of Gaza have withstood the F-16's, Helicopter gunships, tanks, ships and phosphorous attacks and have done so with extraordinary courage.
All that Israel achieved was the wanton destruction & death of children and civilians and residential neighbourhoods that included schools, hospitals, government buildings as well that of the United Nations. More than 1200 dead and 5000 seriously injured by the mercenary Israeli army.
The resistance led by Hamas still stands in defiance and the People of Palestine and the world stand in solidarity of the brave and courageous 1.5 million Gazan polulation who are challenging the collective might of the Israeli and American warmachine.
Clearly Hamas and the Palestinian National resistance has triumphed and the Zionist colonial project of genocidal ethnic cleansing has once again been vanquished. Palestine in 2009 and Lebanon 2006 have forever shattered the myth of Israeli military supremacy and have proved that the Palestinain resistance that stands at the vanguard of the global resistance to US-Zionist Imperialism will ultimately suceed to create an Independent state of Palestinen with Jerusalem as its capital.
We also salute the people across the world who took to the streets and besieged their governments. We also salute the rising tide of global Jewry against the Jewish Zionist counterparts. This struggle will prove critical for the just resolution of the Palestine - Israel conflict. We need to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people as they join the struggle against Zionist Imperialism.
We also salute the leadership of South America lead by Chavez of Venezuela and Morales of Bolivia for taking a clear position against Israel, unlike the collaborator regimes of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, we must add. The anger of the Arab street, social and political movements will lead to democratic revolutions that will soon sweep away these dictators and monarchs.
With Israel having lost both the strategic and moral war, the Zionists will resort to even more desperate measures. The "Shoah" promised by the Israeli leadership is still a possibility. For the larger agenda of total ethnic cleansing, the Zionists need a larger war that will envelope both West Asia and the South Asian nations. In the absence of a larger war theatre, without the direct involvement of the US and NATO, Israel cannot succeed.
And thus the coming war on Iran !!
We need to see the growing tensions between India and Pakistan that are being fanned by the Imperial powers in this light as well.
The patriotic people of both India and Pakistan can together avert a global catastrophe if we refuse to be drawn in to the agenda of nationalist jingoism and war mongering.
We the People of Asia need to stand as one, to defeat the designs of both the Israeli European colonial power and that of the US and the EU.
This is a both a time of sorrow and triumph. Sorrow because of the deaths of thousands of children and a sense of triumph because of the victory of the Palestinian resistance.
Yes the souls of the children and resistance fighters of the Warsaw ghetto and found a new voice and have been resurrected in Gaza. And with resurrection, comes a new life and a new will to struggle and to change the world.
Long Live Palestine !!
Towards a Global Intifada !!
Feroze Mithiborwala, Kishore Jagtap, Varsha V V, Sayeed Khan, Amol Madame, Chetna Birje, Arif Kapadia, Reshma Jatap, Afaq Azad, Irfan Mulla, Inayat Akhtar, Mulniwasi Mala, Jyoti Badekar, Jagdish Nagarkar, Gaurav Karia, Avinash Kamble, Harshavardhan Vartak
98208-97517 / 93245-14101
feroze.moses777@gmail.com
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Joint Signature Campaign by Citizens of India and Pakistan
Joint Signature Campaign by Citizens of India and Pakistan
Against Terrorism, War Posturing and To Promote Cooperation and Peace
From 9th January 2009 to 8th February 2009
Seeking Signatures from People and Endorsements from Organisations
(To be submitted to the Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan
With Copies to important political functionaries and media houses of both countries.)
Come! Sign and endorse the Petition online by clicking: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/indopak/petition.html
Help take signatures from people in your area of operation by downloading the attached Petition Form.
Launch Joint Signature Campaign Against War and Terrorism in your City / Town /Village!!
On 9th January 2009- at 2.30 pm PST in Pakistan and 3.00 pm IST in India
Let People Express!
Time Peace Loving People Decide the Agenda!! And the Course of Our Countries!!!
Dear Fellow Citizens of India and Pakistan,
After 55 years of tense relations, just five years of sustained peace process between India and Pakistan was producing good results for all. Unfortunately, the terror attack in Mumbai suddenly changed the entire scenario and the tensions between India and Pakistan have once again reached dangerous levels that are detrimental to the interests of both the countries.
It is clear that a dependence on the political- bureaucratic- military establishments in both the countries may not lead to reduction in tensions but on the contrary, this nexus could possibly land us in a war. Role of the media of both the countries in the ongoing crisis is also not very heartening.
In such a situation, assertion by the people and civil society groups of both the countries in favour of resolving the present crises through dialogue, cooperation and appropriate actions by both the governments to address terrorism and all other outstanding issues could influence the processes that are set in motion. The collective will of the people could certainly compel the establishments to adopt peaceful and appropriate processes to address all the issues and bring back normalcy.
Joint Signature Campaign from 9th January 2009 to 8th February 2009
To facilitate such assertion by the people of both Pakistan and India, a number of civil society organisations of Pakistan and India have come together to launch a Joint Signature Campaign in both the countries. All civil society organisations and concerned citizens of both the countries are invited to endorse and be partners in this Joint Signature Campaign and facilitate this Campaign in their areas of operation by reaching out to the people to collect their signatures in large numbers. All endorsing organisations will be listed alphabetically- country wise.
The Joint Signature Campaign will be launched in different cities and towns of Pakistan and India on 9th January 2009 from 3 pm (IST). in India and 2.30 pm (PST) in Pakistan to ensure simultaneity.
The Campaign would be carried out for one month and will conclude on Sunday, 8th February 2009. Copies of signatures collected in both the countries will be compiled to be submitted to the Prime Minister of India, The President of Pakistan and other important political functionaries of both the countries and members of the Media before 20th February 2009.
The Petition prepared for the Joint Signature Campaign is attached. We appeal to organisations in both India and Pakistan to become partners in taking forward this Joint Signature Campaign.
What Can Be Done:
Petition Form for the Signature Campaign is attached. Civil society organisations and concerned citizens of India and Pakistan can print copies of the Petition Form to take signatures from people and post the completed forms by 10th February 2009 to the Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign Secretariats set up in both India and Pakistan at the following addresses.
A Pamphlet for the Campaign is also prepared and is attached. It is also available on the website in word, PDF and Page Maker Formats. Please do print the pamphlet for distribution during the Campaign period. We request you to translate the Pamphlet wherever required and possible. For more information about Campaign Launch please visit the website.
For Pakistan:
Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign Secretariat
C/o PILER Centre, ST.001, Sector X ,
Sub-Sector V Gulshan-e-Maymar,
Karachi 75340- Pakistan
Ph:. 00-92-21-6351145 – 7
Fax: 00-92-21-6350354
For India:
Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign Secretariat
C/o COVA, 20-4-10, Charminar
Hyderabad, A.P. India, 500002
Ph: 0091-40-24572984
Fax: 0091-40-24574527
All organisations endorsing the Campaign and accepting to take up the Joint Signature Campaign in their areas of operation will be listed in alphabetical order as Partner Organisations in all communications and also on the Campaign Website. All collaborating organisations are requested to send their names, city/town, country and other contact details for inclusion as Partner Organisations to indopak.jointcampaign@gmail.com
Online Signatures:
Online endorsement of the Campaign is also possible at Petitionsonline.com through the link:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/indopak/petition.html
Email and Website:
The email ID for the Campaign is: indopak.jointcampaign@gmail.com
Website: http://www.indopakcampaignagainstwarnterror.org
Come! Let us join hands across borders to usher in peace and prosperity for both our countries!!
Request: Please forward this to all on your contacts with your recommendations. Thanks
In solidarity
Pakistan- India Joint Signature Campaign
Partner Organisations:
(More names would be added alphabetically after receiving endorsements from organisations).
India:
Arya Samaj, ASHA Parivar, Bandhan, Bandhua Mukti Morcha, COVA, EKTA Parishad, Gandhian Integrated Forum Trust, Gram Vikas Manch, Hind- Pak Dosti Manch, Jana Sahayog, MUKTI, NACDOR, North East Network (NEN), Open Space, PUCAAR, Rupantar, SAHAI, Samarthan, SANGAT, SANSAD,Yuvsatta, Xavier Institute of Social Research, Yuva Samvad,
Pakistan
All Pakistan Kisan Ittehad CYDA, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, India Pakistan Soldiers' Initiative for Peace, Lahore , Institute of Secular Studies, Labour Party Pakistan, Muttahida Labour Federation, Pakhtoonkhva Progressive Front, Pakistani Doctors for Peace & Development, PPC-Sindh, Pakistan Peace Coalition, Pakistan Peace and Solidarity Council, Pakistan Workers Confederation, PILER, SAP Pakistan, South Asian Idea, SDPI , Sungi Development Foundation, , Tehreek-I-Niswan, Women's Rights Association, Multan,
Against Terrorism, War Posturing and To Promote Cooperation and Peace
From 9th January 2009 to 8th February 2009
Seeking Signatures from People and Endorsements from Organisations
(To be submitted to the Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan
With Copies to important political functionaries and media houses of both countries.)
Come! Sign and endorse the Petition online by clicking: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/indopak/petition.html
Help take signatures from people in your area of operation by downloading the attached Petition Form.
Launch Joint Signature Campaign Against War and Terrorism in your City / Town /Village!!
On 9th January 2009- at 2.30 pm PST in Pakistan and 3.00 pm IST in India
Let People Express!
Time Peace Loving People Decide the Agenda!! And the Course of Our Countries!!!
Dear Fellow Citizens of India and Pakistan,
After 55 years of tense relations, just five years of sustained peace process between India and Pakistan was producing good results for all. Unfortunately, the terror attack in Mumbai suddenly changed the entire scenario and the tensions between India and Pakistan have once again reached dangerous levels that are detrimental to the interests of both the countries.
It is clear that a dependence on the political- bureaucratic- military establishments in both the countries may not lead to reduction in tensions but on the contrary, this nexus could possibly land us in a war. Role of the media of both the countries in the ongoing crisis is also not very heartening.
In such a situation, assertion by the people and civil society groups of both the countries in favour of resolving the present crises through dialogue, cooperation and appropriate actions by both the governments to address terrorism and all other outstanding issues could influence the processes that are set in motion. The collective will of the people could certainly compel the establishments to adopt peaceful and appropriate processes to address all the issues and bring back normalcy.
Joint Signature Campaign from 9th January 2009 to 8th February 2009
To facilitate such assertion by the people of both Pakistan and India, a number of civil society organisations of Pakistan and India have come together to launch a Joint Signature Campaign in both the countries. All civil society organisations and concerned citizens of both the countries are invited to endorse and be partners in this Joint Signature Campaign and facilitate this Campaign in their areas of operation by reaching out to the people to collect their signatures in large numbers. All endorsing organisations will be listed alphabetically- country wise.
The Joint Signature Campaign will be launched in different cities and towns of Pakistan and India on 9th January 2009 from 3 pm (IST). in India and 2.30 pm (PST) in Pakistan to ensure simultaneity.
The Campaign would be carried out for one month and will conclude on Sunday, 8th February 2009. Copies of signatures collected in both the countries will be compiled to be submitted to the Prime Minister of India, The President of Pakistan and other important political functionaries of both the countries and members of the Media before 20th February 2009.
The Petition prepared for the Joint Signature Campaign is attached. We appeal to organisations in both India and Pakistan to become partners in taking forward this Joint Signature Campaign.
What Can Be Done:
Petition Form for the Signature Campaign is attached. Civil society organisations and concerned citizens of India and Pakistan can print copies of the Petition Form to take signatures from people and post the completed forms by 10th February 2009 to the Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign Secretariats set up in both India and Pakistan at the following addresses.
A Pamphlet for the Campaign is also prepared and is attached. It is also available on the website in word, PDF and Page Maker Formats. Please do print the pamphlet for distribution during the Campaign period. We request you to translate the Pamphlet wherever required and possible. For more information about Campaign Launch please visit the website.
For Pakistan:
Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign Secretariat
C/o PILER Centre, ST.001, Sector X ,
Sub-Sector V Gulshan-e-Maymar,
Karachi 75340- Pakistan
Ph:. 00-92-21-6351145 – 7
Fax: 00-92-21-6350354
For India:
Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign Secretariat
C/o COVA, 20-4-10, Charminar
Hyderabad, A.P. India, 500002
Ph: 0091-40-24572984
Fax: 0091-40-24574527
All organisations endorsing the Campaign and accepting to take up the Joint Signature Campaign in their areas of operation will be listed in alphabetical order as Partner Organisations in all communications and also on the Campaign Website. All collaborating organisations are requested to send their names, city/town, country and other contact details for inclusion as Partner Organisations to indopak.jointcampaign@gmail.com
Online Signatures:
Online endorsement of the Campaign is also possible at Petitionsonline.com through the link:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/indopak/petition.html
Email and Website:
The email ID for the Campaign is: indopak.jointcampaign@gmail.com
Website: http://www.indopakcampaignagainstwarnterror.org
Come! Let us join hands across borders to usher in peace and prosperity for both our countries!!
Request: Please forward this to all on your contacts with your recommendations. Thanks
In solidarity
Pakistan- India Joint Signature Campaign
Partner Organisations:
(More names would be added alphabetically after receiving endorsements from organisations).
India:
Arya Samaj, ASHA Parivar, Bandhan, Bandhua Mukti Morcha, COVA, EKTA Parishad, Gandhian Integrated Forum Trust, Gram Vikas Manch, Hind- Pak Dosti Manch, Jana Sahayog, MUKTI, NACDOR, North East Network (NEN), Open Space, PUCAAR, Rupantar, SAHAI, Samarthan, SANGAT, SANSAD,Yuvsatta, Xavier Institute of Social Research, Yuva Samvad,
Pakistan
All Pakistan Kisan Ittehad CYDA, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, India Pakistan Soldiers' Initiative for Peace, Lahore , Institute of Secular Studies, Labour Party Pakistan, Muttahida Labour Federation, Pakhtoonkhva Progressive Front, Pakistani Doctors for Peace & Development, PPC-Sindh, Pakistan Peace Coalition, Pakistan Peace and Solidarity Council, Pakistan Workers Confederation, PILER, SAP Pakistan, South Asian Idea, SDPI , Sungi Development Foundation, , Tehreek-I-Niswan, Women's Rights Association, Multan,
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Mumbai Terror - 26/11, War mongering and the role of the Indian People
Mumbai Terror - 26/11, War mongering and the role of the Indian People
As part of the process wherein numerous people's organizations are getting actively involved in demystifying the politics of terror and to resist the war mongering, we have organized a discussion / debate
so as to both understand and thus formulate a strategy to counter this scourge.
The basic thrust is to then mobilise the people against the war as that is the crying need of the hour in both India and in Pakistan.
Speakers:
Avinash Kadam, Feroze Mithiborwala, Subodh More and Sudhir Dhawale.
Venue: The Street Children - Yuva Centre, below the Dadar bridge, next to the Railway station (West), Mumbai.
Date: Jan 6, 2009 / Time: 5pm onwards.
Deepti Gopinath, Kishore Jagtap, Shyam Sonar, Bhagwan, Jagdish Nagarakar,
Mulniwasi Mala, Amol Madame, Arif Kapadia.
As part of the process wherein numerous people's organizations are getting actively involved in demystifying the politics of terror and to resist the war mongering, we have organized a discussion / debate
so as to both understand and thus formulate a strategy to counter this scourge.
The basic thrust is to then mobilise the people against the war as that is the crying need of the hour in both India and in Pakistan.
Speakers:
Avinash Kadam, Feroze Mithiborwala, Subodh More and Sudhir Dhawale.
Venue: The Street Children - Yuva Centre, below the Dadar bridge, next to the Railway station (West), Mumbai.
Date: Jan 6, 2009 / Time: 5pm onwards.
Deepti Gopinath, Kishore Jagtap, Shyam Sonar, Bhagwan, Jagdish Nagarakar,
Mulniwasi Mala, Amol Madame, Arif Kapadia.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
India -Palestine People's Solidarity
AWAMI BHARAT
DEMONSTRATION TO CONDEMN THE
ISRAELI HOLOCAUST OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE IN GAZA
VENUE: AZAD MAIDAN, CST, MUMBAI
DATE: 2nd JANUARY 2009 / TIME: 4-6pm
RASHTRIYA SAMAJ PAKSH / BHARIP BAHUJAMN MAHASANGH / JANATA DAL (SECULAR) / SAMAJWADI PARTY /
VIDYARTHI BHARTI, PHULE - AMBEDKARI VICHAR MANCH, INDIAN SOCIAL MOVEMENT, DALIT-OBC INTELLECTUAL FORUM, GANAI SANSKRUTIK ANDOLAN, INDIAN FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS & TRADE UNION SOLIDARITY CENTRE OF INDIA.
Once again the world stands mute whilst Israel with the support of the US and UK have unleashed death and destruction on the 1.5 million population of Gaza.
Whilst governments of the world debate the correct resolutions to be passed, resolutions that have never been taken seriously by Israel, it is again upto the People of the world to save the courageous Palestinian nation from being subjected to untold misery and brutalities at the hands of the Zionist Nazi state of Israel.
For the people of India to stand up as one with our Asian brethren in the struggle against one of the last colonial occupations in modern history is part of our rich legacy.
Israel is a Europen settler state in one of the worst examples of colonialism built on ethnic cleansing of the original inhabitants.
Palestine and her people today stand as the vanguard of the global anti-imperialsit movenment and they have done so for the last 60 years and more.
It is the resistance of the Palestinian people that has been the prime reason for the collapse of the US, as its Zionist / Neoconservative lobbies continue to control and exploit US foreign policy that has only proved detrimental to the US Empire.
As the women, children and the old Palestinian population in Gaza continue to resist the Israeli war, lets stand together with these brave people in their struggle for the freedom of humanity.
Yes because the struggle for Palestine is a struggle for the freedom of the world.
The world will not be free till Palestine is Free.
Therefore the need for a global INTIFADA to resist US-Zionist Imperialism.
History tells us that the land of Palestine has seen numerous invaders and marauders ravage the land and then pass by.
Palestine is the land which has seen Jesus walk and preach his universal message of a God of all of Humanity. So it is the land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is the land of Jeremiah, Isiah and Ezekiel. The land of the prophets will not fail humanity.
The people of Palestine will triumph, the world will be free, we will all be free !!!
Lets stand as one with the Palestinain people and the Muslims, Jews and Christians who want to live as one on the same land as they have done for centuries and centuries together.
Feroze Mithiborwala / Kishore Jagtap / Sayeed Khan / Varsha V V / Amol Madame / Mulniwasi Mala / jagdish Nagarkar / Arun Velaskar / Dilip Bansode / Munawwar Khan / Ghazala Azad / Chetna Birje / REshma Jagtap / Jyoti Badekar / Avinash Kamble, Arif Kapadia, Gaurav kariya, Afaq Azad, Tito Eapen, Winnie Thomas, Husain Sheikh, Ravi Joshi and Sayeeda Khan.
Our solidarity and demands regarding Palestine include:.
1) We call for the establishment of an Independent and Sovereign state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
2) We extend our solidarity to the courageous people of Palestine and endorse our support to the resistance against the Israeli occupation.
3) We support the Right of Return of the Refugees, who were the victims of a systematic and planned Zionist campaign of displacement, ethnic cleansing and genocide.
4) We call for the immediate dismantlement of all the Israeli Settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
5) We call for the immediate destruction of the Apartheid Wallwhich has created bantustans across Palestine, whilst creating the largest open air prison-cum-concentration camp for its 2.5 million inhabitants.
6) We demand that the Israeli government immediately end the Siege of Gaza which is home to 1.5 million people. The inhuman siege is leading to a holocaust of the Gazans & is a grave crime against humanity.
7) The Check Points in excess of 500, strewn across the West Bank, are a daily source of humiliation and violence for the beleagured Palestinian populace and we call for their immediate dismantlement.
8) We reaffirm that Zionism is Rascism. We thus call for the reinstatement of UN resolution 3379 and call for its re-endorsement by the international community & the UN. We recognize the fact that Zionism is not Judaism and that our principled opposition to Zionism in no way affects our friendship with the Jewish people.
9) Thus until Israel continues with its Colonial Occupation and implementation of its apartheid policies, we demand that the Government of India immediately end all defence, military and intelligence ties, especially purchase of Israeli armaments. We call upon the International community to boycott Apartheid Israel on similar terms that we had meted out to Apartheid South Africa.
10) We call for the unity of all resistance forces in Palestine that are struggling against Zionism and US Imperialism.
11) We demand that Israel honour the democratic verdict of the Palestinian people and recognise the Hamas government, which is the legitimate representatative chosen by the Palestinian people. We also demand that Israel immediately initiate a process of dialogue with the Hamas led government. This is also the opinion of 65% of the Israeli people.
12) The Israeli policy of targetted assassinations of the Palestinian leadership and the indiscriminate killing of civilians should be immediately be brought to a halt. Israel should immediately stop the destruction of Palestinian farmlands, house demolitions, brutalization, torture and its total control over water & other natural resources.
13) We demand that Israel immediately release the more than 10,000 Palestinians languishing in Israeli prisons that also include a significant number of women and children.
14) We support the right and the aspirations of both the Arab and Jewish people to dwell in the same land in peace and harmony.
गुवाहाटी में तीन धमाके, पाँच की मौत
गुवाहाटी में तीन धमाके, पाँच की मौत
भारत के पूर्वोत्तर राज्य असम के प्रमुख शहर गुवाहाटी में तीन धमाके हुए हैं. धमाके में पाँच लोग मारे गए हैं जबकि कम से कम 26 लोग घायल हुए हैं.
हमास के वरिष्ठ नेता मारे गए
ग़ज़ा पर इसराइल के ताज़ा हमले में हमास के वरिष्ठ नेता नज़ार रयान की मौत हो गई है। रयान इसराइल पर आत्मघाती हमले की पैरवी करते थे।
source: bbchindi
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