Dr. Binayak Sen & Others : Our Solidarity

Dr. Binayak Sen

On Christmas Eve (24 December, 2010), Dr. Binayak Sen, a celebrated human rights activist and physician, along with two others, Pijush Guha and Narayan Sanyal were pronounced guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit sedition, under section 124(a) read with 24(b) of the Indian Penal Code. They were sentenced to life imprisonment. They were taken into a police van at 1 pm from the Raipur Sessions Court in Chhattisgarh.

IMMEDIATE REACTIONS:–

“The S.C. has held that the charge of sedition can be upheld if the prosecution can prove that the accused attempted to incite violence or public disorder. It is clear that this case doesn’t meet that standard.”

——Senior Supreme Court Advocate Prashant Bhushan

“This is a complete farce based on the testimony of one single witness. This sentence reveals the true face of the Indian state… they would jail Mahatma Gandhi if they could.”

——Mr. Pijush Guha, co-accused, a Kolkata businessman

WE THE MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY CONDEMN THIS ACT OF GROSS INJUSTICE.  IN OUR COUNTRY MURDERS, CRIMINALS OF ALL KINDS GET ACQUITTED AND ROAM FREELY. DR. BINAYAK SEN, A SCHOLAR-DOCTOR WORKING FOR YEARS TO HELP THE DOWNTRODDEN POOR ADIVASIS IS CONVICTED AFTER A FARCE OF A TRIAL. A TRUE PATRIOT IS PROSECUTED.

IT IS A SHAME, AND WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF DR.SEN, AT LEAST TO REDEEM THE IMAGE OF OUR NATION. THIS FARCE IN THE NAME OF A TRIAL SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED BY ANY HONEST CITIZEN OF THE WORLD.

Debashis

General Secretary, Rationalists’ and Humanists’ Forum of India

Picture Courtesy: The Hindu, PTI

WikiLeaks cables: will the world now intervene over torture in Kashmir?

By Dilnaz Boga

The Guardian (Guardian.co.uk), Tuesday 21 December 2010 12.45 GMT

Will the leaked communiqués mark a shift in western foreign policy, or is it to be business as usual in Kashmir?

A mother of a disappeared son protests on the eve of International Human Rights Day in Srinagar, Kashmir. Photograph: Farooq Khan/EPA

Almost every household in Kashmir has a story to tell of human rights violation by the local police or the Indian security forces. Generations have experienced violence amid a culture of impunity spanning six decades.

Last Friday, leaked US embassy cables disclosed the findings of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on torture in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) between 2002-2004.

ICRC claimed out of 1,296 detainees it had interviewed, 681 had said that they had been tortured. Of those, 498 claimed to have been electrocuted, 381 said they were suspended from the ceiling, and 304 cases were described as sexual. Things haven’t changed much since that period.

Now, Kashmiris who have endured years of abductions, enforced disappearances, custodial killings, rape, torture and detentions want to know if the cables’ release will make a difference. Will there be a change in policy on torture internationally? Will these revelations fortify India’s justice mechanism after civil society’s intervention? Or will it propel the Indian mainstream media to report Kashmir’s human rights issues from the highest militarised zone in the world?

Kashmiris want answers.

Serious impediments to human rights can stall progress in any society. Kashmir is no different. In the Valley, the state feels free to flout its own constitution. Therefore, the people expect intervention from the international community.

The summer of 2010 brought on a significant change in the Kashmiri struggle for independence from India. From being a pan-Islamic militant movement sponsored by Pakistan in 1989, it has now transformed into a non-violent indigenous people’s movement. But the response of the state has not altered since the 1990s.

Kashmiris expressed themselves against what they view as an illegal military occupation by India through peaceful protests, civil strikes, sit-ins, internet and graffiti campaigns, rallies and demonstrations.

Despite the fear of arrest, young people have used the internet to post blogs, photographs of human rights violations and videos of killings, while the government gagged the press for weeks.

Since June, over 100 men, women and children have been killed at demonstrations for protesting against widespread human rights violations. All of this happened as the world watched silently.

The leaked US cables stated that, in 2005, ICRC’s findings were also communicated to the UK, France and Holland. They chose to stay silent. And why shouldn’t they, when there are defence deals to be signed and investments to be made in the soaring Indian markets?

Diplomacy, coupled with the prospects of a burgeoning economy, have shielded India from criticism by the global community. Even the UN only issued a statement, urging India to tone down its response to the protesters.

Responding to ICRC’s allegations, an official spokesperson from the Indian ministry of external affairs said: “India is an open and democratic nation which adheres to the rule of law. If and when an aberration occurs, it is promptly and firmly dealt with under existing legal mechanisms, in an effective and transparent manner.”

Meanwhile, J&K’s chief minister Omar Abdullah said the government doesn’t condone torture. Passing the buck, he added, “I am not getting into it… it pertains to 2005, and you know who was in power that time.” Omar was referring to the coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress that ruled the state from November 2002-August 2008.

On Saturday, Indian broadsheet, The Times of India, chose to report on the row over a statement on Hindu terrorism, and comments about Indian Muslims made by former US envoy to New Delhi, David Mulford. In a commentary about India’s 150 million-plus Muslims, Mulford stated: “India’s vibrant democracy, inclusive culture and growing economy have made it easier for Muslim youth to find a place in the mainstream, reduced the pool of potential recruits, and the space in which Islamic extremist organisations can operate.”

There was no mention of torture or of Kashmir in the newspapers.

It is doubtful that India will make changes after these leaks, but hope never dies in places where violence is a way of life. Kashmiris are still hoping, against all odds, for a change.

Courtesy: The Guardian (Guardian.co.uk)

Girl child killed / Sacrificed as a tantrik ritual in Yeyyadi Mangalore

Mangalore, December 17: In a macabre incident, Priyanka, a three year old girl child studying at KPT Anganavadi was killed in an apparent sacrifice as part of a black-magic ritual under Kadri Police station limits on Friday, December 17.

Priyanka’s body was discovered from a plantation at Sharbatkatte, near Yeyyadi. She was the daughter of Firankumar Ja and Anjali Ja, a native of Bihar and working as helper in a godown at Sharbatkatte.

The Child was brutally killed by Kamalaksha and Chandrakala, a resident of Sharabatkatte for their black magic practice. On interrogation, Chandrakala, one of the culprits, revealed that they have grabbed Priyanka from her house and sacrificed to please the dietyat 7:30 p.m. on Dec 17, Friday. .  After killing they dumped her in a plantation at Sharbatkatte, she revealed.

Kamalaksha Purusha, Chandrakala and Madhav Purusha have been taken into custody but police have not made any arrests till 18th Dec. Earlier on Friday, people had attacked the house of the accused; and the police have tightened security in the area to prevent any more violence.

Priyanka, according to locals, was last seen Thursday afternoon playing with her brothers Pankaj (6) and Neeraj (18 months) outside their house.

According to eyewitness accounts, Chandrakala (28), a neighbour, called Priyanka to her house between 2.30 pm and 3 pm on Thursday. The girl child was never spotted thereafter. The parents searched for Priyanka in the evening and that led them to question Chandralkala about her whereabouts. Late in the evening, the distraught parents approached the police at the Kadri Police Station after Chandrakala insisted that the child had left her house a long time ago.

A police team launched a search, but failed to trace the girl. The police subsequently questioned Chandrakala.

On Friday morning, she confessed that her alleged step father Kamalaksha Purusha (72), a tantrik,  had strangulated the child on Thursday evening in a ritual, according to DCP Ramesh.  She later led the police to a plantation where the child’s body was found covered with leaves, about 300 metres from their house. The body was clad only in underwear. Her footware too was found nearby. As the news of the child sacrifice spread, a large number of people rushed to the spot and ransacked the tantrik’s house.

A few neighbours, including the tantrik’s brother Madhav Purusha (78) (in whose house Priyanka’s parents were living as tenants for the last three months) told that they had warned Priyanka’s parents against sending their daughter to Kamalaksha’s house, suspecting his behaviour.

The neighbours also said Kamalaksha had a live-in relationship with a woman several years ago and Chandrakala was that woman’s daughter. Though Kamalaksha claims that Chandrakala is his step daughter, neighbours as well as police suspect that both have an illegitimate relationship. She, too, had a 5-year-old son, who was missing for the past five months. When queried, both Kamalaksha and Chandrakala said that her son had been adopted by a person in Udupi.

Meanwhile, Chandrakala alleged that Kamalaksha raped the child before she was offered as sacrifice. On the contrary, Kamalaksha continued to say that he has not seen the girl at all. “I can find out the whereabouts of the girl within three days,” he said. To a query on the poojas at his home, he said: “Yesterday was a good day for prayers and the prayers would help me get long life.”

Later, a group of villagers went to the police station and asked the cops to hand over the accused to them. When police resorted to light caning to disperse the crowd, a few antisocial elements threw stones at the police station.

Science and Rationalists’ Association of India, Karnataka Branch, under leadership of Sumitra Padmanabhan,  president of SRAI and Debashis , vice president of SRAI demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Sumitra , who was in Bangalore during the incident said that this kind of gory incident deserves severe punishment.

A letter was sent from SRAI,Karnataka to D.I.G’s office Mangalore requesting to take immediate action.

Debashis who leads the rationalist movement in south India, spoke with the investigating officer of Kadri police station, inspector Neeranjan Raj and filed a formal complain against the culprits.

SRAI-Karnataka after investigating the incident suspects that Anjali Jha, victim’s mother had an illicit relation with Kamalaksha   Purusha and Madhav Purusha and used to take part in tantra rituals was also one of the partner in crime.

On 19th Dec inspector Neeranjan Raj confirmed that Kamalaksha Purusha, Chandrakala, Madhav Purusha and Anjali Jha have been arrested .

Culprits: Kamalaksha Purusha (72) and Chandrakala (28) – Anjali Jha, victim’s mother

Courtesy: http://www.mangaloretoday.com, Deccan Herald News Service (DHNS)

They can file a charge posthumously against Jawaharlal Nehru too: Arundhati Roy

My reaction to today’s court order directing the Delhi Police to file an FIR against me for waging war against the state: Perhaps they should posthumously file a charge against Jawaharlal Nehru too. Here is what he said about Kashmir:

1. In his telegram to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said, “I should like to make it clear that the question of aiding Kashmir in this emergency is not designed in any way to influence the state to accede to India. Our view which we have repeatedly made public is that the question of accession in any disputed territory or state must be decided in accordance with wishes of people and we adhere to this view.” (Telegram 402 Primin-2227 dated 27th October, 1947 to PM of Pakistan repeating telegram addressed to PM of UK).

2. In other telegram to the PM of Pakistan, Pandit Nehru said, “Kashmir’s accession to India was accepted by us at the request of the Maharaja’s government and the most numerously representative popular organization in the state which is predominantly Muslim. Even then it was accepted on condition that as soon as law and order had been restored, the people of Kashmir would decide the question of accession. It is open to them to accede to either Dominion then.” (Telegram No. 255 dated 31 October, 1947).
Accession issue

3. In his broadcast to the nation over All India Radio on 2nd November, 1947, Pandit Nehru said, “We are anxious not to finalise anything in a moment of crisis and without the fullest opportunity to be given to the people of Kashmir to have their say. It is for them ultimately to decide —— And let me make it clear that it has been our policy that where there is a dispute about the accession of a state to either Dominion, the accession must be made by the people of that state. It is in accordance with this policy that we have added a proviso to the Instrument of Accession of Kashmir.”

4. In another broadcast to the nation on 3rd November, 1947, Pandit Nehru said, “We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. That pledge we have given not only to the people of Kashmir and to the world. We will not and cannot back out of it.”

5. In his letter No. 368 Primin dated 21 November, 1947 addressed to the PM of Pakistan, Pandit Nehru said, “I have repeatedly stated that as soon as peace and order have been established, Kashmir should decide of accession by Plebiscite or referendum under international auspices such as those of United Nations.”
U.N. supervision

6.In his statement in the Indian Constituent Assembly on 25th November, 1947, Pandit Nehru said, “In order to establish our bona fide, we have suggested that when the people are given the chance to decide their future, this should be done under the supervision of an impartial tribunal such as the United Nations Organisation. The issue in Kashmir is whether violence and naked force should decide the future or the will of the people.”

7.In his statement in the Indian Constituent Assembly on 5th March, 1948, Pandit Nehru said, “Even at the moment of accession, we went out of our way to make a unilateral declaration that we would abide by the will of the people of Kashmir as declared in a plebiscite or referendum. We insisted further that the Government of Kashmir must immediately become a popular government. We have adhered to that position throughout and we are prepared to have a Plebiscite with every protection of fair voting and to abide by the decision of the people of Kashmir.”
Referendum or plebiscite

8.In his press-conference in London on 16th January, 1951, as reported by the daily ‘Statesman’ on 18th January, 1951, Pandit Nehru stated, “India has repeatedly offered to work with the United Nations reasonable safeguards to enable the people of Kashmir to express their will and is always ready to do so. We have always right from the beginning accepted the idea of the Kashmir people deciding their fate by referendum or plebiscite. In fact, this was our proposal long before the United Nations came into the picture. Ultimately the final decision of the settlement, which must come, has first of all to be made basically by the people of Kashmir and secondly, as between Pakistan and India directly. Of course it must be remembered that we (India and Pakistan) have reached a great deal of agreement already. What I mean is that many basic features have been thrashed out. We all agreed that it is the people of Kashmir who must decide for themselves about their future externally or internally. It is an obvious fact that even without our agreement no country is going to hold on to Kashmir against the will of the Kashmiris.”

9.In his report to All Indian Congress Committee on 6th July, 1951 as published in the Statesman, New Delhi on 9th July, 1951, Pandit Nehru said, “Kashmir has been wrongly looked upon as a prize for India or Pakistan. People seem to forget that Kashmir is not a commodity for sale or to be bartered. It has an individual existence and its people must be the final arbiters of their future. It is here today that a struggle is bearing fruit, not in the battlefield but in the minds of men.”

10.In a letter dated 11th September, 1951, to the U.N. representative, Pandit Nehru wrote, “The Government of India not only reaffirms its acceptance of the principle that the question of the continuing accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to India shall be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations but is anxious that the conditions necessary for such a plebiscite should be created as quickly as possible.”
Word of honour

11.As reported by Amrita Bazar Patrika, Calcutta, on 2nd January, 1952, while replying to Dr. Mookerji’s question in the Indian Legislature as to what the Congress Government going to do about one third of territory still held by Pakistan, Pandit Nehru said, “is not the property of either India or Pakistan. It belongs to the Kashmiri people. When Kashmir acceded to India, we made it clear to the leaders of the Kashmiri people that we would ultimately abide by the verdict of their Plebiscite. If they tell us to walk out, I would have no hesitation in quitting. We have taken the issue to United Nations and given our word of honour for a peaceful solution. As a great nation we cannot go back on it. We have left the question for final solution to the people of Kashmir and we are determined to abide by their decision.”

12.In his statement in the Indian Parliament on 7th August, 1952, Pandit Nehru said, “Let me say clearly that we accept the basic proposition that the future of Kashmir is going to be decided finally by the goodwill and pleasure of her people. The goodwill and pleasure of this Parliament is of no importance in this matter, not because this Parliament does not have the strength to decide the question of Kashmir but because any kind of imposition would be against the principles that this Parliament holds. Kashmir is very close to our minds and hearts and if by some decree or adverse fortune, ceases to be a part of India, it will be a wrench and a pain and torment for us. If, however, the people of Kashmir do not wish to remain with us, let them go by all means. We will not keep them against their will, however painful it may be to us. I want to stress that it is only the people of Kashmir who can decide the future of Kashmir. It is not that we have merely said that to the United Nations and to the people of Kashmir, it is our conviction and one that is borne out by the policy that we have pursued, not only in Kashmir but everywhere. Though these five years have meant a lot of trouble and expense and in spite of all we have done, we would willingly leave if it was made clear to us that the people of Kashmir wanted us to go. However sad we may feel about leaving we are not going to stay against the wishes of the people. We are not going to impose ourselves on them on the point of the bayonet.”
Kashmir’s soul

13.In his statement in the Lok Sabha on 31st March, 1955 as published in Hindustan Times New Delhi on Ist April, 1955, Pandit Nehru said, “Kashmir is perhaps the most difficult of all these problems between India and Pakistan. We should also remember that Kashmir is not a thing to be bandied between India and Pakistan but it has a soul of its own and an individuality of its own. Nothing can be done without the goodwill and consent of the people of Kashmir.”

14.In his statement in the Security Council while taking part in debate on Kashmir in the 765th meeting of the Security Council on 24th January, 1957, the Indian representative Mr. Krishna Menon said, “So far as we are concerned, there is not one word in the statements that I have made in this council which can be interpreted to mean that we will not honour international obligations. I want to say for the purpose of the record that there is nothing that has been said on behalf of the Government of India which in the slightest degree indicates that the Government of India or the Union of India will dishonour any international obligations it has undertaken.”
By: Arundhati Roy

Will the once sovereign community accomplish freedom yet again?

In Kashmir, two groups are in conflict. On one side, there is India with 1.1 billion of population, whereas on the other stands Kashmir, with its 15 million inhabitants.

On one part, there exist every unfair and excessive means to keep Kashmir under dominance; on the other, we see Kashmiris visioning independence.

Victory or defeat is part of every battle. For how many days more will India be successful in keeping Kashmir under its illegitimate control? They had been doing so since 1947. The smokes of doubts are hanging around.

It’s high time that the Indian populace and the civil society decide on a blazing question.

Who will get your support? The imperialists? Or the freedom fighters?

By: Debashis
Vice President, Rationalists’ and Humanists’ Forum of India

Secular nation, PM and Satya Sai Baba’s Birthday: A mockery of Secularism

I always used to feel proud during my childhood when we were taught in school that India is a “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic” without even knowing the real meaning of these big words. Probably even the school teachers didn’t know the actual meaning. They just taught what was written in the book and were done with their job! At least we learnt the “terms” like parrots just because we went to school. The people, who never saw the school or school books due to any reason, might not even know the terms. As such, the very “prescribed” and little “described” character of our nation is not very apparent in any sphere, there is a chance that those people will die even without realizing that they lived in a country with such a great character.

Anyway, the most important thing I would like to mention here is that Indian state was not secular and socialist from the beginning…I mean when the constitution was framed. On 18th December,1976, during emergency, Indira Gandhi made changes in the preamble and 42nd amendment made it to read the way we know it “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic”. Some people might be already on their second honeymoon when this addition was made in the school books. Most of our political leaders had finished their schools before this addition was made. So, obviously they are not very sure about the meaning of these words. I would like to concentrate on the word “SECULAR”. Contrary to what people think, the word secular does not mean “tolerance to all religions”. It actually means that the state machinery should be totally independent of religious influences and no political leaders are allowed to participate in or organize religious rituals at least openly.

Today is 23rd November, birthday of Sathya Sai Baba, a person who is worshipped like God by many. Some are awed by his cheap magic tricks which he call “miracles”( which even a 5 year old kid can perform provided he knows the logic behind them) and think he has some supernatural powers. Many infertile couples were blessed by kids after visiting him. Everyone might say it’s his blessing but BBC and Scientists and Rationalists Association of India had already exposed the truth behind his blessing and other frauds too.. Only the couples who had infertile husbands were lucky enough to be blessed by him. Many male followers have spoken about their first hand experience about his homosexual acts in the name of closed door meetings. He is out and out a religious leader propagating the idea of superstitions and making fool out of innocent, ignorant and gullible people.

Our Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, President, L K Advani, Ashok Chhavan, Karnataka CM – Mr Yeddyurappa among others had gone to Puttaparthi town, abode of Sathya Sai Baba to celebrate his birthday. Being the PM of a secular nation, it’s highly unethical to participate in the celebration and encouraging it by paying personal visits to such a religious leader. It is also a slap in the face of everyone who did the tedious task of framing Indian constitution and who did modifications in it for the betterment of the country. Here Mrs Indira Gandhi is being insulted by him right away. What example a prime Minister will set in front of millions if he too supports religious fanatics, superstitions, sexual molestations and frauds done by Sathya Sai Baba? When it is the duty of Dr Manmohan Singh to see that such an imposter gets arrested as soon as possible for the betterment of the society, he is spending the money paid as taxes by that very “society” to go to Puttaparthi and wish Baba a long life so that he can cheat more and spread his superstitious ideas to many. How will it look if he is found drinking Baba’s “charnamrit” and putting “vibhuti” on his forehead?

On one side he goes to Sathya Sai Baba to seek his blessings ( that means he obviously believes in his powers) and on the other side he is again found spending relentlessly from the tax money to fund operations like “Green hunt” in which innocent tribals (who too are Indian citizens) are being tortured, raped and killed. Mr PM don’t you think Sathya Sai Baba can solve this problem of yours? I mean, if you really believe in his supernatural powers, he alone is more than enough to squish this Maoist Insurgency. What is the need of deputing CRPF, police and others to torture and kill protesting Kashmiris? His supernatural powers are enough to solve this Kashmir issue for once and forever. Why breaking your head tackling terrorism? Let Baba handle it in supernatural way. Or is it like that even you don’t believe in him and his powers in reality? What a mockery at Baba! What an insult to Sathya Sai Baba and his true, faithful followers!

I would like to draw the attention of Baba’s true followers here. I can understand the people who really believe in him and go to him because they think that he can solve all their problems. But what are these PM, CM and others doing around Baba? If they really believe in him, why would they struggle hard to solve their problems in natural and scientific way rather than going to Baba with those problems, who can solve those in a blink? In real sense even these political leaders are imposters!

I request Dr Manmohan Singh to leave this hypocrisy for once and come out straight. What do you actually believe in – “Sathya Sai Baba or Operation Green Hunt”? Choosing both is an insult to so many, including Sathya sai baba himself which his ardent followers won’t tolerate.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka had a closed door meeting with Baba. First thing that comes to mind is “To satisfy Baba?” May be he just went to discuss the political problems he is facing due to some frauds exposed against him by the opposition.

Another thing which is quite noticeable here is Sathya Sai Baba himself is providing a protective umbrella of blessings to people like Manmohan Singh, Yeddyurappa, Ratan Tata who have been named in recent scams and scandals. People who feel that they are being cheated by the government over and again but at the same time are faithful followers of Sathya Sai Baba, don’t they feel this like a blow to their faith and respect for Baba? When he should do something to root out the problems of his followers, When he should do something to root out the problems of his followers, When he should do something to root out the problems of his followers, Baba himself invited those people and has been taking advantage of innocence of all who blindly follow him. What a mockery of their faith!

4th August 2010

By: Debashis
Vice President , Science and Rationalists’ Association of India