Monday, July 24, 2023

"Unveiling Truth and Seeking Justice: My Journey with the French Republic's Human Rights Prize"

 Respected Céline Branaa,

Communication Manager,

CNCDH, Paris

France

Subject: The special mentions of the Human Rights Prize of the French Republic,2018

 

Respected Madam,

 Mr. Louise GUILLANTON, Chargée du Prix des Droits de l’homme writes to PVCHR on 22 November 2018, “La Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’homme (CNCDH) a l’honneur de vous annoncer que la candidature  de M. Lenin Raghuvanshi  a été retenue par les membres du Jury au titre de « mention spéciale» pour l’édition 2018 du Prix des droits de l’homme de la République française portant sur le thème des « défenseurs des droits ».Nous souhaitions vivement vous féliciter pour l’action de terrain que vous menez au service de la reconnaissance des droits des Dalits en Inde et ainsi  reconnaître pleinement votre rôle de défenseur des droits. Ainsi, vous serez invitée par l’ambassadeur de France en Inde à compter du 10 décembre 2018, à la faveur de la cérémonie de remise de prix, au cours de laquelle vous recevrez votre médaille ainsi que votre certificat. Veuillez recevoir l’expression de notre plus haute considération, (The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) is pleased to announce that the nomination   Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi has been selected by the Jury members under “special mention” for the 2018 edition of the Prize for Human Rights of the French Republic on the theme of “human rights defenders”. We wanted to congratulate you warmly for field work you are doing in the service of recognizing the rights of the Dalits in India and thus fully recognize your role as advocate. Thus, you will be invited by the Ambassador of France in India as of December 10, 2018, thanks to the awards ceremony, during which you will receive your medal and your certificate.”) Annexure 1

Please find the links below for your kind understanding and perusal:

https://www.cncdh.fr/actualite/palmares-du-prix-des-droits-de-lhomme-2018

https://www.cncdh.fr/edition-2018-du-prix-des-droits-de-lhomme

https://www.cncdh.fr/sites/default/files/2021-05/181210_DP%20Prix%20des%20droits%20de%20l%27homme.pdf

https://www.cncdh.fr/sites/default/files/2021-05/181128_cp_annonce_des_laureats_et_mentions_speciales.pdf

https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2018/11/special-mentions-prize-of-human-rights-of-the-french-republic-to-lenin-raghuvanshi

These links are provided to assist you in gaining a better understanding of the subject matter and to facilitate your review of the relevant information.

In 2018, my heart swelled with pride and overwhelming emotion as I was granted a "special mention" by the esteemed Jury for the prestigious 2018 Special mentions Prize for Human Rights of the French Republic. The recognition bestowed upon me was for my relentless efforts in advocating and championing the rights of the oppressed Dalits in India. It was a momentous occasion that filled me with a sense of purpose and dedication to the cause I held so dear.

The Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) took the initiative to extend their heartfelt congratulations to me, acknowledging the significance of my endeavors in advancing the rights of the marginalized and oppressed communities in India. Their recognition of my role as an advocate further validated the significance of the work I had undertaken.

However, despite the initial announcement of this momentous honor, my heart was left with a sense of longing and uncertainty. To my dismay, the His Excellency French Ambassador in India had not extended an invitation to me for the grand awards ceremony scheduled on December 10, 2018. As a consequence, I had not yet been able to stand before a captivated audience and receive the well-deserved medal and certificate that would have been a testament to the collective efforts of all those who had stood beside me in this noble fight for justice.

The silence that followed this announcement was deeply disconcerting. It left me grappling with a myriad of emotions, wondering why I had been overlooked and denied the chance to receive the recognition I had worked so tirelessly to earn. The weight of disappointment hung heavy in my heart, as I yearned to celebrate the honor alongside my fellow human rights advocates, feeling a profound sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.

Adding to the complexity of this situation was a past publication on our blog, where I had expressed my concerns about the support of Europe to Hindu Fascist thinking back in 2013. I wondered if this article had somehow influenced the decision-making process or created any misunderstandings that led to my exclusion from the awards ceremony. https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2013/03/europe-wants-to-support-hindu-fascist.html

Yet, despite the disappointment and the questions that lingered in my mind, I remained steadfast in my commitment to the cause. My passion for advocating the rights of the Dalits and promoting human rights for all marginalized communities in India remained unshaken. I held on to the hope that one day, I would be given the opportunity to stand on that stage, my heart filled with pride and emotion, as I finally received the accolade that symbolized the triumph of justice and compassion.

Until that day, I continue to wait, knowing that the fire of determination within me will never waver. I am resolute in my belief that one day, the silence will be broken, and I will be recognized for my contributions to the betterment of humanity. The French Human Rights Prize may not have been bestowed upon me in person yet, but the flame of hope burns brighter than ever in my heart, driving me forward in my unwavering pursuit of justice and equality for all.

My heart sank when I learned that an NGO in India had received the same prestigious award for 2021 that I had been eagerly waiting for since 2018. The emotions of frustration and confusion washed over me, leaving me grappling with a sense of injustice and a burning desire to uncover the truth behind this puzzling situation. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/french-republics-human-rights-prize-for-ngo/article38398816.ece

This revelation has left me with an overwhelming need for deeper investigation to understand the facts surrounding the award's allocation. I cannot help but wonder why I, as the awardee for 2018, have been left in limbo while others have been recognized. The feeling of being sidelined is difficult to bear, and I yearn for clarity and transparency in this matter.

The thought that there might be internal conspiracy and manipulation at play only intensifies the turmoil within me. As a staunch believer in the values of democracy and pluralism, I am deeply concerned about the potential ramifications of such actions. If deceit and dishonesty are allowed to prevail, it could erode the very foundations of our pluralistic democracy, casting doubt on the integrity of our institutions.

In the midst of these emotions, I am determined to seek the truth and ensure that justice prevails. It is essential to uncover any hidden agendas or biases that may have led to this perplexing situation. I firmly believe that the truth must come to light, and I am willing to persevere in this quest for transparency and fairness.

As I confront these emotions and the uncertainty that surrounds the award I rightfully earned, I am driven by a fierce resolve to protect the principles of democracy, equality, and justice. The path ahead may be arduous, but I am prepared to face whatever challenges arise in the pursuit of truth.

The recognition I earned for my efforts in promoting human rights was not a mere symbol or accolade. It represented the acknowledgment of the struggles and aspirations of the marginalized communities I stand for. Therefore, the gravity of this situation cannot be underestimated, and I am determined to fight for what is right.

With a heart burdened by the weight of emotions, I hope for a resolution that restores not just my honor but also the faith in the fairness of the system. Until then, I will continue to hold on to the belief that truth and justice will prevail and that the values we cherish will triumph over any internal intrigues or manipulations that threaten our democratic ideals.

Should you have any further questions or require additional resources, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your time and consideration.

With Kindest regards,

Lenin Raghuvanshi

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

 

Lenin Raghuvanshi
Founder and CEO
People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
An initiative of Jan Mitra Nyas,Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC of UN
SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi - 221002 India
Mobile no.+91-9935599333
Like us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pvchr

No comments: