Hunger Death of Nageena Musahar:Case
Nageena Musahar R/O Village Dhogara, Block:Fazilnagar,District:Kushinagar of UP,India died of Hunger on 27 October 2004.
The matter of hunger death of Nageena and imminent starvation being faced by other musahars of his village Dhoghara were raised by fact-finding team of Right to Food Campaign, UP before National Human Rights Commission and Supreme Court’s Commissioner and both constitutional bodies issued notice to Chief secretary of UP and DM of Kushinagar. Musahar Vikas Pahal Samiti and Musahar Manch organized a procession before the office of Block Development Officer which attracted the attention of media persons and as a result local media highlighted the matter in newspapers on front page in all edition of UP. After the massive intervention of RTFC and its partners and associates,Ms. Prabhawati wife of Nageena Musahar was given ten thousand rupees under National Family benefit scheme and Indira Awas by district administration.96 AAY-red cards were distributed among Musahar and twenty AAY-red cards which were kept by Kotedar were released in favour of Musahar and due to this all musahar families have AAY-red ration cards. ICDS center was opened in the Musahar community. There are so many charity organizations came forward to help the starving Musahars.Health department of Kushinagar organized health camps in the village. Kotedar Sampat Gupta fraudulently had taken loans in the names of 45 Musahars against whom RC issued by Bank. District administration of Kushinagar started an enquiry and ordered to cancel the RC issued against Musahar . SDM cancelled the kota of Sampat Gupta and FIR was lodged against him under Essential Commodities Act. The investigation was carried out against upper caste people and feudal forces who have taken the land of Musahar by illegal means and cases were filed in the court of SDM against responsible persons. There was constructed a road linking the Musahar community. The outcome of the whole intervention is that that District Magistrate issued order that Musahar community should be given first priority in all food security schemes and in land allotment.
UN Right to Food Mission to India
Right to food Campaign,UP meets UN Special Rapporteur
Jean Ziegler, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, visited India in an official mission from August 20 to September 1. Besides official and unofficial talks Mr. Ziegler and his delegation visited food insecure areas in North Delhi and looked into cases of violations of the right to food in Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.
On August 22 FIAN India organized a round table meeting with the Special Rapporteur in Delhi, with FIAN participants from different parts of the country and members from other organizations and networks. Mr.Harsh Mander, Special Commissioner on the Right to Food case of the Indian Supreme Court,Ashok Sinha of Actionaid,Lenin and Sanjai Rai of Right to food Camapign,UP and hunger victims Prabhawati wife of Nageena Musahar,Vishambhar-a dalit weaver also participated.
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Core team,RTFC,UP
Sadhna in PEM 4th grade as certified by Institute of Medical sciences and SS Hospital BHU,Varanasi: intervention of NHRC
The families from which these children belong are living on the razor edge of the survival with no land and food security as a result the children who are the state responsibility and future of are country are living on the brink of survival, suffering from acute malnutrition and hunger.
Below is the testimony of a Sadhna, 2years belonging to village Rudauli, district Mirzapur, who was suffering diagnosed to be in PEM IV Grade and suffering from Keratomalacia when admitted to the S.S.Hospital of Institute of Medical Science, BHU.The discharge record shows that at the time of discharge her PEM status was upgraded to PEMIII, but still she was suffering from Keratomalacia
Journey from death to survival
Sadhna is struggling hard to take a breath; she is reduced to a skeleton. Exposing her ribs, she finds it difficult to even lift up her small eyelids. Tumbling while walking, she becomes a little full of energy when talked about food. A four years old child can be compared to a sixty year old person, with each bone has worn-out the flesh and there are wrinkles every where. Her height can be compared to a two and a half old child. Cradling in the arms of her grandmother, Sadhna lies meek and hopeless. She is admitted to Vatsalya Hospital, Varanasi.
Her father, Vijay,a dalit weaver is unemployed since past eight months as a result of which his four years old daughter Sadhna is suffering from severe malnutrition and Anemia. Helplessly Vijay send his wife and four years old daughter to his in-laws house at Rassipatti,Varanasi. But the condition of his in-laws is no better as a result of which Sadhna had become severely malnourished and anemic .She lies at the brink of survival. To save the life of his niece took her to Dr.Rajendra Pathak for her treatment that referred her to Sir Sundarlal Hospital. He told that since months the child has not been receiving proper food as a result of which she has become anemic and needs blood. She was admitted in the hospital on 23/9/04,where she was diagnosed to be suffering from PEM IV th grade and Keratomalacia in the right eye, but her condition has not improved.
PVCHR, Varanasi, got Sadhna Admitted to Vatsalya Hospital, Varanasi. Sadhna is recovering fast, but the rescue came to her a little late, she has lost her eyesight.
The above case is not the alone there are many in which children who are the future of our country are the victims of starvation and hunger. Who can be held responsible for the situation? Is it the government who makes powerful policies on paper but fail in its implementation, or is it the citizens who are not questioning the government for their basic rights. Till date Sadhna Family is aloof from getting any Government benefits or schemes. He does not possess an antyodya card.
After the complain by Right to Food Campaign, eastern UP, NHRC issued the notice to District Magistrate stated that let the complaint be transmitted to D.M. Varanasi, Uttar pradesh to look into the grievance. Action taken be reported in four weeks.( Case no.2583/24/2005-2006/UC).
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Report: March 2006 ( Right to food)
Report: March 2006Ø In the case of Bonded labors at brick kiln in the village of Amauli under police station Chaubeypur, Varanasi, release certificates have not yet issued by SDM to the victims for their rehabilitation. NHRC issued the notice to DM of Varanasi (Ann.1) to take proper action to set the bonded labours free and to provide them proper security and ensure their rehabilitation. CO of Cholapur police circle made an enquiry in the case and as a result of this brick kiln owners has restrained himself from giving threatening to the Musahar bonded labourers.
Ø PVCHR complained with NHRC and DM of Varanasi in the case of Rajendra Musahar. Here it should be noted that Rajendra Musahar was falsely implicated in the matter of theft by Phoolpur police and he was detained in police station for 20 hours. On the complain of PVCHR, NHRC issued direction to DG (I) of NHRC to collect information in respect of the said case. (Ann.2)
Ø PVCHR complained the three cases in one petition about extra judicial killing, police torture of a juvenile and custodial violence to NHRC. NHRC has taken the case up under their consideration. (Ann.3)
Ø OMCT (world organization against torture) based at Geneva (Switzerland) and FIDH (Federation of international organizations) based at France has published and issued a book in which incident of attack on PVCHR activists has been given place under the heading of Steadfast Resistance. IN a report of Ms. Hina Jilani, a representative of UN Secretary General for human rights defenders, three cases from Varanasi out of five cases from all over India were given place, which were submitted by AHRC and PVCHR. Three cases from Varanasi which got place in UN report are given under:
1. Attack on PVCHR activists in village Belwa , Varanasi by feudal.
2. Illegal detention and torture of Musa Azmi of NCDHR.
3. Police inaction in rescue of trafficked minor girls from Red light area of Shivdas pur, Varanasi and lodging fake cases against Ajeet Singh and his wife Ms. Manju of Guria.
Ø NHRC has issued notice to DM, Gazipur (case No. 39214/24/2005-2006/UC) on the complain of PVCHR about hunger death of Shani Musahar and Shivnath Musahar of village:Badauli,Block:Bhawarkol,Gazipur.
Ø NHRC has issued notice to DM, Chandoli (case No. 39217/24/2005-2006/UC) on the complain of PVCHR about hunger situation of Hari Nath of village:Budepur ,Block:Danapur, Chandoli. PVCHR complained with special secretary (revenue) of UP. After that DM of Chandoli and BDO of Dhanapur block sent a letter to state government and copy to PVCHR stating the steps what have been taken in respect of the said case of Hari Nath and same was enquired by PVCHR and was found true which as follows:
1. A committee was formed on emergency fund for victims of hunger and malnutrition by village panchayat and Rs. 1000/- was given to the victim Hari Nath by Pachayat.
2. Victim was given AAY-red cards and his mother was given Annapurna card
3. DM gave instruction to CHC, Dhanpur to provide medical help for the treatment of TB of victim and DM instructed to BDO to provide 100 days employment to the family’s members of victims under Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Ø BBC made a film on the crisis of weavers of Varanasi of India. After that Craft council of India and Craft Revival Trust initiated a campaign for the rights of the weavers of Varanasi. On 14th Marc 06 they organized a meeting on “ Crisis of weavers in Varanasi” at ICC, New Delhi. In that meeting the Director of NIFT and UNESCO, India took part and PVCHR made their presentation in the meeting based on thorough study of the starving situation of weavers in Varanasi.
Ø PVCHR as a resource organization trained the member of Executive Council of Voice of People (VOP) at Jari in Allahbad on 20-21 March 2006.
Ø As it is know that PVCHR has created blogger (free cyber space) on the starving situation of marginalized communities of his working areas to draw the attention of masses and to collect help and sympathy of them in favour of those poor people: alliance of poor. As a result of this India today (Hindi edition) published on 29th March 2006 a story focusing on starving condition of poor people of UP. In this story India Today elaborately gave the report of hunger deaths in the districts of eastern UP based on the work and study of PVCHR and AHRC (Hong Kong).
Ø Media fellow Mr. Ashwini Singh of Sonbhadra highlighted and investigated the hunger death of a tribal Ram jit of Bhabhani block of Sonbhadra.
Ø Media Fellow Manoj Kumar Singh highlighted the deaths of Musahars caused by TB in Kushinagar. As a result of this District administration of Kushi Nagar accepted the facts and decided to take immediate action. He also highlighted the matter of corruption in food for work scheme in Kushinagar and District Administration took action against the concerning officers.
Ø Kanhar Bachao Andolan, Bhoomi Hakdari Morch and GSS organized a Jan Sunwai (people’s hearing) in Duddhi, Sondhadra on food security schemes and displacement on the death anniversary of Shahid Bhagat Singh (23 March, 2006).Dr. Lenin participated in Jan Sunwai as panelist on behalf of PVCHR and Right to Food Campaign.
Ø At present, reports of community fellows are in Hindi and within six months we would review that and it’s brief would be reported. A community fellow named Jhamani Devi working in Rajgarh block of Mirzapur, organized a Dharana before BDO in which more than one thousand tribal people participated demanding the full implementation of Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and other food security schemes. During the Dharana all village secretaries of block Rajgarh took part in the program of interface with activists of Mahila Adhikar Manch in the presence of BDO.
Ø On the hunger death of four Musahars of village Damahi of Mirzapur taking in to the notice of complaint made by PVCHR, NHRC issued notice to The DM of Mirzapur. As a result of this all 53 Musahar families have received red ration cards and have been promised by district administration to give them land and houses. SDM and SP visited in the village and distributed blanket and 10 KG rice to each Musahar family in the village.
Ø A Dalit widow woman named Khetala of village Kakana of district Sultanpur, on the complain of PVCHR to SDM, Kadipur and Special secretary (Revenue) of UP, was given Rs. 1000/-, land and Red AAY card.
Ø PVCHR complained with DM,Muraina,MP, Chief secretary of MP and SC commissioner Shri NC Saxena about the hunger situation of two old men and women of district Muraina. SDM, Muraina provided the victims some immediate relief by giving him shelter and food, but PVCHR has made demand to give them red AAY cards and Annapurna cards to them.PVCHR has also demanded to make rule to form an emergency fund at village and district level for immediate relief to the victims of hunger and malnutrition.
Ø PVCHR activists has found three children in the village Belwa of Varanasi who are suffering from Malnutrition as the certificate to this effect has been given by MO of PHC. It should be noted that one child belongs to ST and other two children belong to OBCs. All of them are landless, but their parents have yellow cards, which was given for those people who are above poverty line. PVCHR complained with NHRC, Chief secretary, Special secretary (revenue), DM, BDO and SC commissioners. NHRC has registered case.(Case no.:41875/24/2005-2006)
Ø PVCHR submitted the concept of Dr. Darin named as Varanasi Weavers Trust to chief Minister of UP on 29th July 2004, to act upon idea and concept DR. Darin, making response to this. Special secretary of textile ministry of UP, Dr. R.C.Duwa made a response through his DO letter to PVCHR convener, Dr. Lenin dated 18th March 2006. (DO letter no.: 4CM/63-wa0 U0-2006), in which it was informed that their monitoring the matter.Government of UP sent a DO letter to commissioner of Varanasi division for necessary action and clarification related policy and implementation (DO letter no.: 4CM/63-wa0 U0-2006 )and has aaured for immediate action.
(Ann.1):
Case Details of File Number: 38403/24/2005-2006
Diary Number 1063
Name of the Complainant DR. LENIN , PEOPLE VIGILANCE
Address COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim SURESH & OTHERS
Address R/O VILL- MAHASIPUR ,PS- CHOBEYPUR ,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident N.A
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident 1/1/1991
Direction issued by the Commission Issue notice to the DM, Varanasi, calling for a report in four weeks.
Action Taken Notice Issued
Status on 3/18/2006 Response from concerned authority is awaited.
.(Ann.2)
Case Details of File Number: 39110/24/2005-2006
Diary Number 1111
Name of the Complainant DR. LENIN
Address PEOPLE'S VIGILANCE COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SA4/2A, DAULATPUR,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim RAJENDRA MUSHAR
Address AR/O PHOOLPUR,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident PHOOLPUR
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident 2/23/2006
Direction issued by the Commission DG(I) to collect facts within four weeks.
Action Taken
Status on 3/18/2006
.(Ann.3)
Case Details of File Number: 41873/24/2005-2006
Diary Number 170748
Name of the Complainant DR. LENIN
Address PEOPLE'S VIGILANCE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHT, SA 4/2A, DAULATPUR,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim PRANSU BAJPEYI & OTHERS
Address S.7/3, GOLGHAR, KACHAHARI, PS. CANTT.,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident GOLGHAR
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident 4/6/2005
Status on 3/18/2006 The Complaint is under consideration.
Ø PVCHR complained with NHRC and DM of Varanasi in the case of Rajendra Musahar. Here it should be noted that Rajendra Musahar was falsely implicated in the matter of theft by Phoolpur police and he was detained in police station for 20 hours. On the complain of PVCHR, NHRC issued direction to DG (I) of NHRC to collect information in respect of the said case. (Ann.2)
Ø PVCHR complained the three cases in one petition about extra judicial killing, police torture of a juvenile and custodial violence to NHRC. NHRC has taken the case up under their consideration. (Ann.3)
Ø OMCT (world organization against torture) based at Geneva (Switzerland) and FIDH (Federation of international organizations) based at France has published and issued a book in which incident of attack on PVCHR activists has been given place under the heading of Steadfast Resistance. IN a report of Ms. Hina Jilani, a representative of UN Secretary General for human rights defenders, three cases from Varanasi out of five cases from all over India were given place, which were submitted by AHRC and PVCHR. Three cases from Varanasi which got place in UN report are given under:
1. Attack on PVCHR activists in village Belwa , Varanasi by feudal.
2. Illegal detention and torture of Musa Azmi of NCDHR.
3. Police inaction in rescue of trafficked minor girls from Red light area of Shivdas pur, Varanasi and lodging fake cases against Ajeet Singh and his wife Ms. Manju of Guria.
Ø NHRC has issued notice to DM, Gazipur (case No. 39214/24/2005-2006/UC) on the complain of PVCHR about hunger death of Shani Musahar and Shivnath Musahar of village:Badauli,Block:Bhawarkol,Gazipur.
Ø NHRC has issued notice to DM, Chandoli (case No. 39217/24/2005-2006/UC) on the complain of PVCHR about hunger situation of Hari Nath of village:Budepur ,Block:Danapur, Chandoli. PVCHR complained with special secretary (revenue) of UP. After that DM of Chandoli and BDO of Dhanapur block sent a letter to state government and copy to PVCHR stating the steps what have been taken in respect of the said case of Hari Nath and same was enquired by PVCHR and was found true which as follows:
1. A committee was formed on emergency fund for victims of hunger and malnutrition by village panchayat and Rs. 1000/- was given to the victim Hari Nath by Pachayat.
2. Victim was given AAY-red cards and his mother was given Annapurna card
3. DM gave instruction to CHC, Dhanpur to provide medical help for the treatment of TB of victim and DM instructed to BDO to provide 100 days employment to the family’s members of victims under Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Ø BBC made a film on the crisis of weavers of Varanasi of India. After that Craft council of India and Craft Revival Trust initiated a campaign for the rights of the weavers of Varanasi. On 14th Marc 06 they organized a meeting on “ Crisis of weavers in Varanasi” at ICC, New Delhi. In that meeting the Director of NIFT and UNESCO, India took part and PVCHR made their presentation in the meeting based on thorough study of the starving situation of weavers in Varanasi.
Ø PVCHR as a resource organization trained the member of Executive Council of Voice of People (VOP) at Jari in Allahbad on 20-21 March 2006.
Ø As it is know that PVCHR has created blogger (free cyber space) on the starving situation of marginalized communities of his working areas to draw the attention of masses and to collect help and sympathy of them in favour of those poor people: alliance of poor. As a result of this India today (Hindi edition) published on 29th March 2006 a story focusing on starving condition of poor people of UP. In this story India Today elaborately gave the report of hunger deaths in the districts of eastern UP based on the work and study of PVCHR and AHRC (Hong Kong).
Ø Media fellow Mr. Ashwini Singh of Sonbhadra highlighted and investigated the hunger death of a tribal Ram jit of Bhabhani block of Sonbhadra.
Ø Media Fellow Manoj Kumar Singh highlighted the deaths of Musahars caused by TB in Kushinagar. As a result of this District administration of Kushi Nagar accepted the facts and decided to take immediate action. He also highlighted the matter of corruption in food for work scheme in Kushinagar and District Administration took action against the concerning officers.
Ø Kanhar Bachao Andolan, Bhoomi Hakdari Morch and GSS organized a Jan Sunwai (people’s hearing) in Duddhi, Sondhadra on food security schemes and displacement on the death anniversary of Shahid Bhagat Singh (23 March, 2006).Dr. Lenin participated in Jan Sunwai as panelist on behalf of PVCHR and Right to Food Campaign.
Ø At present, reports of community fellows are in Hindi and within six months we would review that and it’s brief would be reported. A community fellow named Jhamani Devi working in Rajgarh block of Mirzapur, organized a Dharana before BDO in which more than one thousand tribal people participated demanding the full implementation of Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and other food security schemes. During the Dharana all village secretaries of block Rajgarh took part in the program of interface with activists of Mahila Adhikar Manch in the presence of BDO.
Ø On the hunger death of four Musahars of village Damahi of Mirzapur taking in to the notice of complaint made by PVCHR, NHRC issued notice to The DM of Mirzapur. As a result of this all 53 Musahar families have received red ration cards and have been promised by district administration to give them land and houses. SDM and SP visited in the village and distributed blanket and 10 KG rice to each Musahar family in the village.
Ø A Dalit widow woman named Khetala of village Kakana of district Sultanpur, on the complain of PVCHR to SDM, Kadipur and Special secretary (Revenue) of UP, was given Rs. 1000/-, land and Red AAY card.
Ø PVCHR complained with DM,Muraina,MP, Chief secretary of MP and SC commissioner Shri NC Saxena about the hunger situation of two old men and women of district Muraina. SDM, Muraina provided the victims some immediate relief by giving him shelter and food, but PVCHR has made demand to give them red AAY cards and Annapurna cards to them.PVCHR has also demanded to make rule to form an emergency fund at village and district level for immediate relief to the victims of hunger and malnutrition.
Ø PVCHR activists has found three children in the village Belwa of Varanasi who are suffering from Malnutrition as the certificate to this effect has been given by MO of PHC. It should be noted that one child belongs to ST and other two children belong to OBCs. All of them are landless, but their parents have yellow cards, which was given for those people who are above poverty line. PVCHR complained with NHRC, Chief secretary, Special secretary (revenue), DM, BDO and SC commissioners. NHRC has registered case.(Case no.:41875/24/2005-2006)
Ø PVCHR submitted the concept of Dr. Darin named as Varanasi Weavers Trust to chief Minister of UP on 29th July 2004, to act upon idea and concept DR. Darin, making response to this. Special secretary of textile ministry of UP, Dr. R.C.Duwa made a response through his DO letter to PVCHR convener, Dr. Lenin dated 18th March 2006. (DO letter no.: 4CM/63-wa0 U0-2006), in which it was informed that their monitoring the matter.Government of UP sent a DO letter to commissioner of Varanasi division for necessary action and clarification related policy and implementation (DO letter no.: 4CM/63-wa0 U0-2006 )and has aaured for immediate action.
(Ann.1):
Case Details of File Number: 38403/24/2005-2006
Diary Number 1063
Name of the Complainant DR. LENIN , PEOPLE VIGILANCE
Address COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim SURESH & OTHERS
Address R/O VILL- MAHASIPUR ,PS- CHOBEYPUR ,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident N.A
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident 1/1/1991
Direction issued by the Commission Issue notice to the DM, Varanasi, calling for a report in four weeks.
Action Taken Notice Issued
Status on 3/18/2006 Response from concerned authority is awaited.
.(Ann.2)
Case Details of File Number: 39110/24/2005-2006
Diary Number 1111
Name of the Complainant DR. LENIN
Address PEOPLE'S VIGILANCE COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SA4/2A, DAULATPUR,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim RAJENDRA MUSHAR
Address AR/O PHOOLPUR,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident PHOOLPUR
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident 2/23/2006
Direction issued by the Commission DG(I) to collect facts within four weeks.
Action Taken
Status on 3/18/2006
.(Ann.3)
Case Details of File Number: 41873/24/2005-2006
Diary Number 170748
Name of the Complainant DR. LENIN
Address PEOPLE'S VIGILANCE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHT, SA 4/2A, DAULATPUR,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim PRANSU BAJPEYI & OTHERS
Address S.7/3, GOLGHAR, KACHAHARI, PS. CANTT.,
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident GOLGHAR
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident 4/6/2005
Status on 3/18/2006 The Complaint is under consideration.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Looms Of Doom
Looms Of Doom
A foreign fabric has silenced the looms of the local weavers, reduced them to poverty and killed an art
Sutapa Mukerjee
Raziya Biwi is angry. "My three-year-old son is dying of starvation. My husband lies unconscious beside him. My remaining six children are now beggars. The youngest feeds only on sugar and water as I'm incapable of feeding him." Over the past two years, she and her husband Nurool Haq have done everything from selling her jewellery and a small plot that they owned; the money is gone now and they are starving. "Who knows who will die and who will live?" she ponders miserably.
Raziya and her husband were once the pride of their village. The owner of five looms, he made enough to keep all nine members of his family content. Neighbours recollect how pretty she looked every Id in her best clothes and jewellery. Now she stands in shreds. Nurool is suffering from acute anaemia according to doctors. "But we have no money for the treatment," sighs Raziya. They have been out of business for the last 27 months as there are very few takers for the Varanasi silks they wove for a living.
Three doors away, Mohammed Umair, another weaver, tried being a little more enterprising but to little avail. With no work after his loom owner shut shop and migrated, he began selling his blood. In less than six months, he had sold his blood 13 times. Now suffering from tuberculosis he says, "Sarkar ne to mera khoon bhi kharab kar diya (The government has even contaminated my blood)." Several of Umair's friends from Bajedian village also began selling their blood for cash only to fall afoul of the authorities. "Some doctor leaked the news, we were penalised and the police warned us stating it was illegal," says Rafique, another accomplice.
Others have become even more desperate. In Kotwan village, Ghulam Rasool and Raziya Biwi sold Subhan Ali, their two-month-old son, for Rs 2,000. "At least I knew the buyer—a distant relative who has the means to look after Subhan. The thought that he could feed him was of some consolation," she admits.
Today with their son back at home, the couple earns from a vegetable shop in the village. "No matter what happens, I'm not going back to becoming a weaver," says Ghulam who feels obliged to the government for getting his son back and paying him a grant of Rs 10,000. "This is a stray case where political leaders intervened as the villagers had created a ruckus about the family's dire straits. But no leader looked into the real problem because of which people are now starving to death in almost all villages," says Atique Ansari, general secretary, Weaver's Association, Varanasi.
The weavers' troubles began way back in 1995-1998 when the Deve Gowda government imposed a ban on Chinese silk yarns. The idea was that Varanasi saris would only be woven from silk yarns from Bangalore. Out of habit or because of its superior quality, some weavers started smuggling Chinese yarn into the holy town. Realising that their need for Chinese yarn would only grow, the weavers demanded an ogl (open general license).
A chronic power shortage was also crippling their activity but one of the most telling blows was delivered five years ago when the government allowed the free import of Chinese plain crepe fabrics. "This decision brought the entire business to a standstill. Now most customers prefer crepe silk to the traditional Varanasi silk because of its smooth appearance and cheaper price," explains Rajan Bahal, general secretary of Varanasi Vastra Udyog.
The flaws of Varanasi silk—relating to colour, texture and durability—are not found in Chinese crepe since they are woven in automated looms. "With power availability and government subsidies, the Chinese can afford to sell the finished product at a lower price, giving the traditional Varanasi silk sari tough competition.Chinese silk traders brought cheap yarn to the local market and decided to replicate Varanasi silk by hiring some weavers from Varanasi," explains Atique AnsariHe adds that the middle and lower middle class prefers synthetic saris from Surat at one-tenth the price of a Varanasi silk sari. The continuous tussle between the Bangalore and Karnataka silk lobby as well as government indifference towards import policy has led to this plight.
In fact, the art of weaving these saris now faces extinction. In Mughal times both Hindu concepts and Muslim ideas were fused to create unique aesthetic designs. The weavers weave the basic texture of the sari on handlooms and powerlooms—both cottage industries where the entire family is usually involved. Normally one person weaves while two others work at revolving rings to roll bundles of the yarn. They create a Varanasi speciality yarn motifs.
To create these designs, the artist first draws out the entire concept on a graph paper. He then creates small punch cards through which colour threads are passed at different stage as the cards hang on the sides of the loom. Depending on the design, these cards are paddled in a systematic way so that the right pattern and colours are picked up during the main weaving. For a single design, hundreds of such perforated cards are required. A normal sari takes anywhere from 15 days to six months depending on the complexity of the design.
But today an estimated five lakh weavers and their families in Varanasi district are looking for an alternative. Over half have been forced to take up menial jobs like pulling rickshaws. Several have opened tea stalls and paan shops. Others like Abdul Wahi of Rewri Talab and Abdul Ghani of Maltibagh have closed their flourishing businesses and migrated to Bangalore and Hyderabad where they work in looms and help in dyeing and embroidery work. "At least they are better off, but you need money to migrate and contacts too. Here we are all left to starve and die," says Uma Shankar of Madhiapur village whose two children, nine-year-old Chandan and seven-year-old Malka, are undergoing treatment for malnourishment.
An NGO led by Lenin Raghuvanshi is helping the children. "But how many such cases can we attend to?" asks Lenin. According to his conservative estimates, 19 weavers have died from starvation in the past 24 months.
"When reports of farmers' deaths reach Parliament, immediate action is taken. But when weavers are dying in Varanasi, no voice is heard in Parliament," says Raghuvanshi. The plight of silk sari weavers in Varanasi unfortunately seems to come to the fore only before elections. Once electioneering ends, the promises too fade and the poor weavers are left to fend for themselves. And the cityfolk are left wondering why leaders are so insensitive to one of the oldest arts of the country.
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A foreign fabric has silenced the looms of the local weavers, reduced them to poverty and killed an art
Sutapa Mukerjee
Raziya Biwi is angry. "My three-year-old son is dying of starvation. My husband lies unconscious beside him. My remaining six children are now beggars. The youngest feeds only on sugar and water as I'm incapable of feeding him." Over the past two years, she and her husband Nurool Haq have done everything from selling her jewellery and a small plot that they owned; the money is gone now and they are starving. "Who knows who will die and who will live?" she ponders miserably.
Raziya and her husband were once the pride of their village. The owner of five looms, he made enough to keep all nine members of his family content. Neighbours recollect how pretty she looked every Id in her best clothes and jewellery. Now she stands in shreds. Nurool is suffering from acute anaemia according to doctors. "But we have no money for the treatment," sighs Raziya. They have been out of business for the last 27 months as there are very few takers for the Varanasi silks they wove for a living.
Three doors away, Mohammed Umair, another weaver, tried being a little more enterprising but to little avail. With no work after his loom owner shut shop and migrated, he began selling his blood. In less than six months, he had sold his blood 13 times. Now suffering from tuberculosis he says, "Sarkar ne to mera khoon bhi kharab kar diya (The government has even contaminated my blood)." Several of Umair's friends from Bajedian village also began selling their blood for cash only to fall afoul of the authorities. "Some doctor leaked the news, we were penalised and the police warned us stating it was illegal," says Rafique, another accomplice.
Others have become even more desperate. In Kotwan village, Ghulam Rasool and Raziya Biwi sold Subhan Ali, their two-month-old son, for Rs 2,000. "At least I knew the buyer—a distant relative who has the means to look after Subhan. The thought that he could feed him was of some consolation," she admits.
Today with their son back at home, the couple earns from a vegetable shop in the village. "No matter what happens, I'm not going back to becoming a weaver," says Ghulam who feels obliged to the government for getting his son back and paying him a grant of Rs 10,000. "This is a stray case where political leaders intervened as the villagers had created a ruckus about the family's dire straits. But no leader looked into the real problem because of which people are now starving to death in almost all villages," says Atique Ansari, general secretary, Weaver's Association, Varanasi.
The weavers' troubles began way back in 1995-1998 when the Deve Gowda government imposed a ban on Chinese silk yarns. The idea was that Varanasi saris would only be woven from silk yarns from Bangalore. Out of habit or because of its superior quality, some weavers started smuggling Chinese yarn into the holy town. Realising that their need for Chinese yarn would only grow, the weavers demanded an ogl (open general license).
A chronic power shortage was also crippling their activity but one of the most telling blows was delivered five years ago when the government allowed the free import of Chinese plain crepe fabrics. "This decision brought the entire business to a standstill. Now most customers prefer crepe silk to the traditional Varanasi silk because of its smooth appearance and cheaper price," explains Rajan Bahal, general secretary of Varanasi Vastra Udyog.
The flaws of Varanasi silk—relating to colour, texture and durability—are not found in Chinese crepe since they are woven in automated looms. "With power availability and government subsidies, the Chinese can afford to sell the finished product at a lower price, giving the traditional Varanasi silk sari tough competition.Chinese silk traders brought cheap yarn to the local market and decided to replicate Varanasi silk by hiring some weavers from Varanasi," explains Atique AnsariHe adds that the middle and lower middle class prefers synthetic saris from Surat at one-tenth the price of a Varanasi silk sari. The continuous tussle between the Bangalore and Karnataka silk lobby as well as government indifference towards import policy has led to this plight.
In fact, the art of weaving these saris now faces extinction. In Mughal times both Hindu concepts and Muslim ideas were fused to create unique aesthetic designs. The weavers weave the basic texture of the sari on handlooms and powerlooms—both cottage industries where the entire family is usually involved. Normally one person weaves while two others work at revolving rings to roll bundles of the yarn. They create a Varanasi speciality yarn motifs.
To create these designs, the artist first draws out the entire concept on a graph paper. He then creates small punch cards through which colour threads are passed at different stage as the cards hang on the sides of the loom. Depending on the design, these cards are paddled in a systematic way so that the right pattern and colours are picked up during the main weaving. For a single design, hundreds of such perforated cards are required. A normal sari takes anywhere from 15 days to six months depending on the complexity of the design.
But today an estimated five lakh weavers and their families in Varanasi district are looking for an alternative. Over half have been forced to take up menial jobs like pulling rickshaws. Several have opened tea stalls and paan shops. Others like Abdul Wahi of Rewri Talab and Abdul Ghani of Maltibagh have closed their flourishing businesses and migrated to Bangalore and Hyderabad where they work in looms and help in dyeing and embroidery work. "At least they are better off, but you need money to migrate and contacts too. Here we are all left to starve and die," says Uma Shankar of Madhiapur village whose two children, nine-year-old Chandan and seven-year-old Malka, are undergoing treatment for malnourishment.
An NGO led by Lenin Raghuvanshi is helping the children. "But how many such cases can we attend to?" asks Lenin. According to his conservative estimates, 19 weavers have died from starvation in the past 24 months.
"When reports of farmers' deaths reach Parliament, immediate action is taken. But when weavers are dying in Varanasi, no voice is heard in Parliament," says Raghuvanshi. The plight of silk sari weavers in Varanasi unfortunately seems to come to the fore only before elections. Once electioneering ends, the promises too fade and the poor weavers are left to fend for themselves. And the cityfolk are left wondering why leaders are so insensitive to one of the oldest arts of the country.
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ASIA: Three widows named for two more international awards
ASIA: Three widows named for two more international awards
PRESS RELEASE
AHRC-PL-028-2006
ASIA: Three widows named for two more international awards
(Hong Kong, April 13, 2006) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Thursday jointly nominated Angkhana Neelaphaijit, Suciwati Munir and Padma Perera for two more prestigious international human rights awards.
The Hong Kong-based regional rights group named the three women--all of them widows of murdered human rights defenders--for the 2006 Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award and John Humphrey Freedom Award.
All three of the women are fighting for human rights and justice with "tremendous courage and at serious personal risk", Basil Fernando, executive director of the AHRC, said.
Their collective work is of "great significance not only to their own countries but also to the Asian region as a whole", Fernando said.
On March 30 the AHRC named the three to receive jointly the 2006 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
The Korean award, which is among the most prominent commendations for human rights work in Asia, is given annually by the Gwangju-based May 18 Memorial Foundation.
The Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award is presented each year by the Robert F Kennedy Memorial, based in Washington DC.
"Each [of the joint nominees] meets the criteria of the Robert F Kennedy Memorial in being a woman of integrity, creativity and commitment to human rights," Fernando said.
The John Humphrey Freedom Award is also given annually, by the Montreal-based group Rights & Democracy, in honour of John Peters Humphrey, who prepared the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Each of the three nominees were "working within their own country contexts to address threats to human rights defenders and their families under conditions hostile to the recognition and application of basic human and democratic rights, as well as in the region as a whole," Fernando told the members of the John Humphrey prize jury.
Fernando explained that in making the nominations the AHRC was doing more than just extolling the qualities of the three women and recalling the important work of their husbands.
"This is about genuine solidarity," Fernando said.
"Genuine solidarity is not just statements of respect and support. It means real commitments to building regional and international relationships for change," he said.
"All of these awards offer meaningful partnerships and ongoing contacts for the laureates," Fernando added.
Fernando himself received the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights in 2001.
"We are very hopeful that these nominations will be considered seriously," Fernando said.
"These are really remarkable women working under extraordinary circumstances," he said.
"They deserve recognition far beyond what they have received to date," Fernando concluded.
# # #
About AHRC The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
Posted on 2006-04-13
Back to [2006 AHRC Press Releases]
PRESS RELEASE
AHRC-PL-028-2006
ASIA: Three widows named for two more international awards
(Hong Kong, April 13, 2006) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Thursday jointly nominated Angkhana Neelaphaijit, Suciwati Munir and Padma Perera for two more prestigious international human rights awards.
The Hong Kong-based regional rights group named the three women--all of them widows of murdered human rights defenders--for the 2006 Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award and John Humphrey Freedom Award.
All three of the women are fighting for human rights and justice with "tremendous courage and at serious personal risk", Basil Fernando, executive director of the AHRC, said.
Their collective work is of "great significance not only to their own countries but also to the Asian region as a whole", Fernando said.
On March 30 the AHRC named the three to receive jointly the 2006 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
The Korean award, which is among the most prominent commendations for human rights work in Asia, is given annually by the Gwangju-based May 18 Memorial Foundation.
The Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award is presented each year by the Robert F Kennedy Memorial, based in Washington DC.
"Each [of the joint nominees] meets the criteria of the Robert F Kennedy Memorial in being a woman of integrity, creativity and commitment to human rights," Fernando said.
The John Humphrey Freedom Award is also given annually, by the Montreal-based group Rights & Democracy, in honour of John Peters Humphrey, who prepared the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Each of the three nominees were "working within their own country contexts to address threats to human rights defenders and their families under conditions hostile to the recognition and application of basic human and democratic rights, as well as in the region as a whole," Fernando told the members of the John Humphrey prize jury.
Fernando explained that in making the nominations the AHRC was doing more than just extolling the qualities of the three women and recalling the important work of their husbands.
"This is about genuine solidarity," Fernando said.
"Genuine solidarity is not just statements of respect and support. It means real commitments to building regional and international relationships for change," he said.
"All of these awards offer meaningful partnerships and ongoing contacts for the laureates," Fernando added.
Fernando himself received the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights in 2001.
"We are very hopeful that these nominations will be considered seriously," Fernando said.
"These are really remarkable women working under extraordinary circumstances," he said.
"They deserve recognition far beyond what they have received to date," Fernando concluded.
# # #
About AHRC The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
Posted on 2006-04-13
Back to [2006 AHRC Press Releases]
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Belwa, Varanasi
Update (UA-138-2005)
INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward Community
I want to draw your attention to village Belwa under Badagaon Block in district Varanasi of UP, India. There is a serious crisis of rule of law in the village because feudal practices are still going on: which is mockery of democracy in India.
For the last 27 years the dalits and the backward community in Belwa Village in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India was not able to cast their vote in any election. The upper caste dominated village in Varanasi District of Utter Pradesh never allowed the lower caste community to enjoy their right to vote. The reasons are manifold. The lower caste and the backward community is a source of free labour and faced all sought of exploitation. The caste Hindus were afraid that if their slaves were allowed to vote, they would capture power, which might eventually put an end to their exploitation.
For the Village Panchayath election, which just concluded on 17 August 2005, Mr. S. N. Giri, an accepted figure and human rights activist working for the dalits and the backward community filed his nomination as a candidate. Mr. Rajendra Tiwari, the former Village Headman who held the post unchallenged for about 25 years immediately realized the threat to his unchallenged power. He had contested the election formerly through his wife when the seat was reserved for a woman candidate. Mr. Tiwari and his men threatened Mr. Giri and told him that if he did not withdraw his nomination he and his colleague Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of People’s Vigilance Committee for Human Rights (PVCHR) and their family members would be assassinated.
On receipt of the threat Mr. Lenin of PVCHR contacted the AHRC seeking for help to intervene in the situation. The AHRC immediately issued an Urgent Appeal through its urgent appeals network and also contacted various other local and international organisations, including the UN bodies calling for immediate protection of Mr. Giri and Mr. Lenin. The UN responded through its Special Procedures Branch for Human Rights Defenders. The AHRC also contacted various government bodies and foreign consulates in India seeking support.
Due to the immense pressure from various corners, including from local and international organisations there was a response from the state government. The person who called Mr. Lenin and threatened him was arrested and later released on bail. There was a huge police presence during the immediate days prior to election and during the day of election. The following statement by Mr. Lenin itself would show how elections were held in the past and how it was held on 17 August 2005.
The police did something, which never happened in the past. They came with public address systems and announced at the upper caste Hindu areas that if anyone would create confusion and commotion preventing the dalits and the lower caste from casting their vote they would be immediately taken into custody according to law. Similarly they went to the lower caste houses and announced that they are free to cast their vote and that every protection would be given for them to exercise their right. This continued for two days immediately prior to the election.
The day of poling was interesting. The dalits and the backward community started pouring in from the morning. But initially many stood behind and watched and once they were sure that no one would attack them as in the past they formed long queues and cast their vote. One another interesting element is that the women from the upper caste also came in huge numbers. Probably Mr. Tiwari was convinced that unless he let their women to exercise their right he would fail the election. The District magistrate also came to the place early in the morning and announced that anyone who disrupts the election proceeding would be immediately taken into custody and those who attempt armed attack would be shot.
At about 1 pm some people, whom we suspect are the aides of Mr. Tiwari tried to cast vote on false names and tried playing fraud. To our surprise they were arrested and taken into custody. To my memory, but for this election, never was there an election here, which could be anywhere called as an election. On the election day people employed by the upper caste candidate would come, take all the ballot papers, fix the seal of the candidate of their choice and the put it back in the ballot box and the entire election would be over within a matter of few hours and those who challenged this never could live in Belwa anymore.
But this time it was different. I do not know how to thank all those who made this possible for us. Now the question is to maintain the same calm and peace for the counting, which is coming up next week. I hope things will go smoothly. This is the result of a collective work.
After the instruction of SSP Varanasi a FIR was lodged under section 504,506 IPC of crime number 117/2005 at Phoolpur police station on 7 August 2005 against Mr. Ramashray Singh, but FIR was not registered to commit the offence of making disturbance in election process. It should be noted that FIR under crime no. 117/2005 was registered due to the intervention of AHRC. After issuing action alert by AHRC, many protest letters and email were sent from many corner of the world to NHRC, Chief minister of UP, SSP and DM of Varanasi. One of the protest letters in this respect sent by INSEC, Nepal to NHRC, India was treated as a petition (case no.: 14004/24/05-06/UC) and NHRC issued notice to SSP, Varanasi. Then responding to this SSP, Varanasi appointed to SPRa (Superintendent of Police: rural area) for the in-depth enquiry. On a letter from FIAN international, Chief Minister of UP gave an order to SSP, Varanasi to make an enquiry in this case of death threatening.
The feudal forces or upper caste do not want to loose their hold from village, so they try ruthlessly again and again to capture the power anyhow. They are not habitual to tolerate the equality of dalit and backward communities. You can see that on 14 October 2005 during the next voting for block development committee and district panchayat election. They (upper caste) captured the booth for fake voting, as they were very well aware of my absence from the area during election period. Again by booth capturing and giving threatening to dalit and backwards, they knowingly wanted to demoralize the dalit and backwards community. This is the common practice of upper caste people and feudal forces that they know very well that they can maintain their unequal and exploitative social, economic and political privilege by demoralizing dalit and backwards communities. For that purpose they can make threatening, insulting, luring and even killing.
According to the complaint made by villagers of Belwa to District Magistrate of Varanasi on 14.10.2005 during voting two persons named Guddu Tiwari son of Rajendra Tiwari and Dabloo Singh (Muscle man of Rajendra Tiwari) captured force fully booth number 119,120,121,123 and snatched the voting paper from voters and got it stamped for their own candidate and dropped this fake voting papers in ballot box. Till now neither any action was taken against culprits nor the election was cancelled of above-mentioned booths, because Mr. Aparajita Singh, who is Chief election commissioner of UP, is a resident of same village and he played a biased role in this respect to not cancel the election.
Since 2001 Dalit and backward castes children and their parents have been making demand for opening the primary School in dalit ghetto of Belwa village. On 21 October 2005,children from these communities of Belwa village organized a protest before District Magistrate of Varanasi and submitted a petition for opening of primary school under the fundamental right of education. Recently elected members of Local self-Governance signed petition cum resolution and handed it over to the district magistrate, Varanasi on 1 Dec. 2005. Local Self – Governance (LSG) of UP, India has been set up right from village level to District level consisted of three level bodies. The following members of different level of LSG have signed the resolution for opening the Government Primary School at Badepur of Belwa for children of Dalit and Backward Community. Among the signatories all members of Jila Panchayat and BDC of this area have signed the resolution and eight members out of fifteen of Village Panchayat have also signed the said resolution.
Rajesh Kumar Patel (Member-Jila Panchayat/District Council, ward No. 14),Ajit Kumar Singh (Member –Block development Committee),Dinesh Kumar Patel (Member –Block development Committee),Bali Ram (Member –Block development Committee),Shyam Lal (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa),Vikrama Prasad (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa), Tara Devi(Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa) ,Hori Lal(Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa) ,Udal Prasad Verma (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa),Geeta Devi (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa) ,Girja Devi (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa),Kishuna Devi(Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa).
In this respect it should also be taken in to account that aforesaid signatories of resolution have expressed their serious apprehension of death threatening from Mr. Rajendra Tiwari, Village Pradhan (head man).
On 13 December 2005, circle officer (police), Cholapur of Varanasi called for to note down the statements of Lenin, SNGiri and Anupam in the case of death threatening given to Lenin, Anupam and SN Giri. In this respect a letter from office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva signed by three respective official (Letter is attached).
In this whole episode it should be noted that no FIR has yet been lodged against the perpetrators in relation to threatening given to a woman activist Anupam. ( An urgent appeal to this effect is attached).
Therefore it is requested that the rule of law should be established and administration should be made accountable to open school in village Belwa to ensure education for Dalit and backward children.
Hkkjr dk LFkk;h fe’ku] tsusok
PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA
Pankaj Saran TO THE UNITED NATION OFFICES
Minister (Political) 9, RUE DU VALAIS,
Tel # 0041-22-9068686 1202 GENEVA
Fax # 0041-22-9068696
Email: pankaj.saran@ties.itu.int
TELEFAX
No. GEN/PMI/353/37/2004
To: Foreign New Delhi Date: August 17,2005
Rpt: Shri. Kirthy Kumar, Director (HR) MHA, N. Delhi No. of pages: 4
JS (UNES) from Minister (Pol.) Reptd: Director (UNES-II)
Subject: Communication No. G/SO/214 (67-13), G/SO/214 (107-5)
G/SO/214 (78-11) IND 14/2005 dated 16 August 2005 received from
OHCHR.
The above mentioned communication (copy attached), jointly signed
by three Special Rapporteurs addressed to EAM, has been received by us yesterday. The case relates to two incidents (on 5 and 10 August 2005) of alleged ill-treatment by high-casts Villagers in District Varanasi (U.P.) to one Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and two of his associates who are stated to be running an NGO for the welfare of Dalits.
2. Grateful for facts for reply.
(Pankaj Saran)
Minister (Political)
NATION UNIES UNITED NATIONS
Haut COMMISSARIAT AUX DROITS DE L’HOMME HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Telefax: (41-22)-9179006 Address:
Telegrams: UNATIONS, GENEVE Palaldos Nations
Telex: 41 29 62 CH-1211 GENEVE 10
Internet: www.
E-mail:
REFERENCE: UA G/SO 214 (67-13) G/SO 214 (107-5) G/SO 214(78-11)
IND 14/2005
16 August 2005
Excellency,
We have the honour to address you in our capacities as Special Rappoteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, Xenophobia and related intolerance, Special Rappoteur on the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and Special Representative of the Secretary- General on the situation of human rights defenders pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolutions 2002/68, 2002/48 and 2002/64.
In this connection, we would like to draw the attention of your Government to information we have received concerning Dr. Lenin Raghuvanashi, a Human Rights Defender with the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee for Human Rights (PVCHR), an organization working for Dalit and ‘lower caste’ communities in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, focusing on education for children, including the setting up of a local school, and the right to self determination for these communities members, his associate Mr. S.N. Giri and Ms. Anupam Naghvanshi, field coordinator for PVCHR.
According to the information received, on 5 August 2005, at approximate 8:00 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi allegedly received a phone-call, on his mobile phone, from a man linked to the village authorities (the identify of whom is known to the Special Representative) demanding that Mr. S.N. Giri withdraw his nomination from an election due to be held in Belwa village on 17 August 2005. Furthermore, on 7 August 2005, at approximately 20:35, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi allegedly received another phone-call from the same person threatening that if his associate did not withdraw his nomination, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, his family and Mr. S.N. Giri would be shot dead. Dr. Lenin recorded the phone conversation and has lodged a complaint with the Senior Superintendent of the Police and District Magistrate. He has reportedly also fixed a complaint to the Chief Minister of the State. Moreover, previously on 26 August 2003, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi had been arrested and detained for 4 hours for organizing a protest before Sub Divisional Magistrate in Varanasi.
It is reported that on 10 August 2005, at approximate 16:00, Ms. Anupam Naghvanshi, was surrounded by a number of people connected to the village authorities (the identity of whom is known to the Special Representative) who asked her why she was encouraging the Dalits and ‘lower caste’ community to cast their vote in the upcoming election. Ms. Anupam Naghvanshi was allegedly threatened with murder if she returned to Belwa village. Ms. Anupam telephoned the police at approximate 18:00 on 10 August 2005 but no officer was dispatched. She then sent a written complain by registered post to Phoolpur police station. It is reported that no action has been taken in this case by Phoolpur police.
His Excellency
Mr. K. Natwar Singh
The Minister for Foreign Affairs
New Delhi, India
In light of fact that the Belwa village and its surrounding areas are reportedly known for booth capturing and election related fraud, and that during the February 2002 elections, people from these communities were allegedly assaulted when they turned out to vote, these threats could constitute an attempt to intimidate Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Mr. S.N. Giri and Ms. Anupam Naghvashi and prevent them from carrying out their human rights work with the Dalit and ‘lower caste’ in Varanasi.
Without in any way implying and determination on the facts of the case, we would like to refer Your Excellency’s Government to the fundamental principles set forth in the Declaration on the Rights and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom, and in particular article 1 and 2 which state that everyone has the right individually or in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom at the National and International levels” and that “each State has prime responsibility and duty to protect, promote and implement all human rights and fundamental freedom, inter alia, by adopting such step as may be necessary to create all conditions, necessary in the social, economic, political and other fields, as well as the legal guarantees required to ensure that all persons under its jurisdiction, individually and in association with others, are able to enjoy all those rights and freedoms in practice”.
We should like to appeal to your Excellency’s Government to take all necessary steps to secure the right to freedom of opinion and expression of the above mentioned persons, in accordance with fundamental principles as set forth article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reiterated in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right which provide that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right include freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
Furthermore, we should like to appeal to your Excellency’s Government to guarantee the right to equality and non-discrimination of these persons in accordance in article 1 and 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as article 2.1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by your country on 10 July 1979, where State undertake to ensure to all individuals within their territory, without discrimination, the rights enunciated in the Convention, including right to vote (article 25 b), and article 2.2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ratified by your country on 10 July 1979, where States undertake to guarantee to all without discrimination the rights enunciated in the convention, including the right to education (article 13).
We urge your Government to take necessary measure to guarantee that the rights and freedoms of the aforementioned persons are respected. We also request that your Government adopt effective measure to prevent the recurrence of these acts.
In view of the urgency of the matter, we would appreciate a response on the initial step taken by your Excellency’s Government to safeguard and rights of above mentioned persons in compliance with the International instruments.
Moreover, it is our responsibility under the mandates provided to us by the Commission on Human Rights and reinforced by the appropriate resolutions of General Assembly, to seek to clarify all cases brought to our attention. Since we are expected to report on these cases to the Commission, we would be grateful for your cooperation and your observations on the fallowing matters, when relevant to the case under consideration.
1. Are the facts alleged in the above summary of these cases accurate?
2. Has a complained been lodged by or on behalf of the alleged victims?
3. Please provide the details, and where available the results, of any investigation and judicial or other inquiries carried out in relation to this case. If no inquires have taken place or if they have been inconclusive please explain why.
4. In the event that the alleged perpetrators are identified, please provide the full details of any prosecution which have been undertake; Have penal, disciplinary or administrative sanctions been imposed on the alleged perpetrators?
We undertake to ensure that your Government’s response to each of these questions is accurately reflected in the reports we will submit to the Commission on Human Rights for its consideration.
Accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Doudou Diene
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination,
Xenophobia and related intolerance
Ambeyi Ligado
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of
Opinion and expression
Hina Jilani
Special representative of the Secretary-General on the situation
Of human rights defenders
UPDATE (India): Another human rights activist threatened for working with Dalits in Uttar Pradesh
UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEALASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMUpdate on Urgent Appeal11 August 2005[UA-138-2005: INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward Community]----------------------------------------------------------UP-95-2005: INDIA: Another human rights activist threatened for working with Dalits in Uttar PradeshINDIA: Human rights defenders; Threats and intimidation; Government and police inaction------------------------------------------------Dear friends,The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that further threats have been made to a colleague of Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, who we reported on only two days ago as having received death threats (See further UA-138-2005).The AHRC has confirmed information that further to this earlier threat to Dr. Lenin and his colleague Mr. S. N. Giri, the same people have now threatened Ms. Anupam Nagvanshi, who likewise works in Belwa Village for the dalits and backward people. On 10 August 2005, Ms. Anupam was surrounded by Mr. Ranjendra Thiwari, his son Mr. Gudu Thiwari and their men, while she was talking to the villagers in Belwa. The following is Ms. Anupam’s statement of what happened:“I work with Dr. Lenin at the PVCHR. Yesterday while I was working with the villagers in Belwa, I was surrounded by Mr. Rajendra Thiwari, his son Mr. Gudu Thiwari and their men. Then Mr. Ranjendra Thiwari asked me why I was telling the daliths and the backward people in the village that they can also cast their vote in the coming election? He further said why I should worry about the local body election in the village and why I should educate the daliths and the backward community in the village? He said that my work and that of my orgnaisation and my colleagues result in loss of free manpower in the village. They said that the daliths and the members of the backward community do not have a right to be educated and to participate in any election. They threatened me that they would murder me if I ever dared to come to this village and that they are not happy of outsiders like me and my colleagues coming and talking to the daliths and the backward community in Belwa village. I am scared that these people will murder me even if I am not in Belwa village. Later Mr. Baba Singh, the elected Block Development Head came and met me and said that I am like a daughter to her and that I should never enter Belwa village. I said that I would complain to the police regarding all these to which he said that the police and the administration is only to serve Mr. Thiwari and himself and they would not take any action upon my complaint.”The situation in Belwa and neighbouring villages is such that the might of the upper caste is prevailing over those working for human rights in the area. Human rights activists are fearful for their lives, particularly since the local administration has not yet extended their support in preserving law and order in the region. The immediate retaliation of the caste Hindus with the support of the local civil administration is to suppress any act that might liberate the dalits and backward community from their servitude.Despite this incident having been brought to the attention of the state and central administration, no action has been taken by the government agencies to safeguard life and preserve law and order in Varanassi and the surrounding villages, where human rights activists are engaged in working with the lower caste community.In light of this, we request that you write to the relevant authorities listed below seeking their intervention in this case. The state and central government must take immediate action in this case, including affording protection to Ms. Anupam, Dr. Lenin and Mr. S. N. Giri in particular, and human rights activists in general.
INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward Community
URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM 9 Aug 2005---------------------------------------------------------------------- UA-138-2005: INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward CommunityINDIA: Human rights defenders; --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to bring to your immediate attention the situation faced by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, a human rights activist working for the Dalits and the backward class in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Dr Lenin and his colleagues have been subjected to death threats from the upper castes to stop working for the dalit and backward classes.Dr Lenin has been working in Belwa village, largely to provide education to children from the dalit and backward class who have been denied this right by the upper castes. The state government has not provided schooling for this community despite their long-standing demand.The backward classes and the dalits have also been denied the right to vote. Belwa village and its surrounding areas are known for booth capturing and election related fraud. During the February 2002 election, people from these communities were brutally assaulted when they went to vote. Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr Giri, Dr Lenin's associate has filed his nomination and is expected to be a strong contender due to his popularity amongst the backward community.On August 5, Mr.Rama Sharay Singh called Dr Lenin on his mobile phone (No: 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Around the same time, Mr.Giri also received death threats in the village where he was working. Once again, on August 7, Mr Singh called up Dr. Lenin and said that if the nomination was not withdrawn, Mr Giri and his family would be shot dead.Dr. Lenin recorded the conversation, made copies of it and is now meeting the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Brij Bushan and the District Magistrate, Mr. Gokaran to lodge his complaint. Dr. Lenin has also faxed a complaint to the Chief Minister of the state regarding the incident.In this context, the AHRC requests you to intervene and call upon the Government of India and the State Administration of Uttar Pradesh in particular, to provide full protection to Dr. Lenin, Mr. S. N. Giri and their families. An impartial inquiry into the incident must also be conducted immediately. Please also urge the State Human Rights Commission to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident and make public its report and findings. The district administration should immediately consider the long pending request of the Dalit and backward community of Belwa to open a public school for the children. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Backward Community should also look into the incident, conduct an inquiry into the situation of Dalits and backward community in Uttar Pradesh and recommend effective measures to the State as well as the Central Government in order to put an end to the existing caste based oppression and discrimination. And finally, the State as well as National Election Commission should inquire into the incident and take appropriate action against those who are threatening Mr. S. N. Giri to withdraw his candidature.Urgent Appeals DeskAsian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)-------------------------------------------------------------Case Details:Since 2000, Dr. Lenin has been working with the dalits and the backward community in Belwa village, under the jurisdiction of the Phoolpur police station in Varanasi. One of the issues Dr. Lenin focuses on is education for children from the Dalit and backward community and the right to self determination for these community members. Dr. Lenin’s colleague, Mr. S. N. Giri is also involved in this work. Mr. Giri is an accepted person among the Dalits and the backward community in the village. To provide education to the children from these communities, Dr. Lenin with the help of the benefactor families and with financial assistance from CRY, an international organisation, has started a local school where approximately 200 children receive primary education. It is alleged that the local village head Mr. Ranjedra Thiwari, who has held this position for the last 27 years, is opposed to the presence of this school. Since the post of the village head has been reserved for a woman, Mr. Thiwari’s wife is holding the post. It is also alleged that Mr. Thiwari in the past has publicly declared that the children from the Dalit and backward community do not have a right to education and that no one from this community has the right to cast their vote in any election. Mr. Thiwari comes from the upper Brahmin caste. It is alleged that owing allegiance to the pressure from the upper caste community, the state government has not provided any school for the lower caste and backward community in this village despite their long pending demand. These children are also not permitted to attend other schools. On 26 August 2003, Dr. Lenin and his colleagues, together with the support from the local lower caste and backward community, organised a protest before the Sub Divisional Magistrate in Varanasi. Dr. Lenin was immediately arrested and detained by the authorities. The Sub Divisional Magistrate also comes from the same caste as Mr. Thiwari. Dr. Lenin was released after four hours of detention following a huge outcry from individuals and groups within the national and international community.This village and its surrounding places are known for booth capturing and election fraud. In 2001, a people’s tribunal headed by Mr. Justice Sukumaran concluded after a public hearing that there is a clear denial of the right to vote for Dalits and the backward community. The tribunal in its report categorically stated that the police, administration and even the judiciary is biased against the Dalits and the backward community. Belwa was also in the news when there was rampant booth capturing during the 21 February 2002 election in which Mr. Ajay Rai was declared elected to the state legislative assembly. During this election, many people from the Dalit and backward community were brutally assaulted when they came to cast their vote. It is alleged that Mr. Rai is known for his involvement in numerous criminal activities. Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr. Giri, Dr. Lenin’s associate has filed a nomination from Belwa and it is expected that he will be a strong contender in the election owing to his popularity amongst the poor, Dalits and the backward community. On August 5 at about 8 am, a Mr. Rama Sharay Singh called Dr. Lenin on his mobile phone (number 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Dr. Lenin responded that to file the nomination and to stand for election is Mr. Giri’s right and that no one can object to that. Around the same time, Mr. Giri also received threats in the village where he was working and therefore immediately went to Dr. Lenin’s office in Varanasi. At about 8.35 p.m. on August 7, Mr. Singh again called Dr. Lenin on the same number and threatened that if Mr. Giri did not withdraw his nomination, Dr. Lenin and his family and Mr. Giri will be shot dead. This is not the first time that Dr. Lenin and his colleagues have come under the line of fire of the upper castes. On 13 November 2001, Mrs. Durga, an activist associated with Dr. Lenin’s organisation and her husband Mr. Adya Prasad were attacked by Mr. Thiwari and his armed men. A month ago, on October 23, Dr. Lenin and his wife Mrs. Shruti were attacked by Mr. Thiwari’s men for organising an educational campaign. Immediately after the incident, Mr. Thiwari called Dr. Lenin and informed him that he would be murdered along with his family if he continued his work. Mr. Thiwari has also threatened that he would kill Ms. Asha Devi, a teacher in the local school for educating Dalit children. This incident is yet another glaring example of how the upper caste dominates the lower caste and the backward community in India and exposes the poor defence that the Government of India continues to use when challenged on caste issues.BACKGROUND INFORMATIONVaranasi and the surrounding region was, in the past, known for Lord Buddha’s work and his early activities. However, this region is now known for hardcore and often fanatic upper caste Hindu religious activities and propaganda. The region is infamous for upper caste atrocities against the lower and backward castes such as bonded labour, systematic oppression, feudal systems of punishment where the entire village is punished in the most inhuman way for alleged acts of disrespect by the members of lower caste and also for destruction of statues of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, in Dalit and backward class villages. For centuries, education has been denied to the children from the Dalit and the backward community. Even political leaders who have been elected in this region have publicly stated that the children from these communities must not be provided education and members from this community should not be allowed to participate in elections. It is within this environment that Dr. Lenin and his colleagues are working for the Dalits and the backward class.
INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward Community
I want to draw your attention to village Belwa under Badagaon Block in district Varanasi of UP, India. There is a serious crisis of rule of law in the village because feudal practices are still going on: which is mockery of democracy in India.
For the last 27 years the dalits and the backward community in Belwa Village in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India was not able to cast their vote in any election. The upper caste dominated village in Varanasi District of Utter Pradesh never allowed the lower caste community to enjoy their right to vote. The reasons are manifold. The lower caste and the backward community is a source of free labour and faced all sought of exploitation. The caste Hindus were afraid that if their slaves were allowed to vote, they would capture power, which might eventually put an end to their exploitation.
For the Village Panchayath election, which just concluded on 17 August 2005, Mr. S. N. Giri, an accepted figure and human rights activist working for the dalits and the backward community filed his nomination as a candidate. Mr. Rajendra Tiwari, the former Village Headman who held the post unchallenged for about 25 years immediately realized the threat to his unchallenged power. He had contested the election formerly through his wife when the seat was reserved for a woman candidate. Mr. Tiwari and his men threatened Mr. Giri and told him that if he did not withdraw his nomination he and his colleague Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of People’s Vigilance Committee for Human Rights (PVCHR) and their family members would be assassinated.
On receipt of the threat Mr. Lenin of PVCHR contacted the AHRC seeking for help to intervene in the situation. The AHRC immediately issued an Urgent Appeal through its urgent appeals network and also contacted various other local and international organisations, including the UN bodies calling for immediate protection of Mr. Giri and Mr. Lenin. The UN responded through its Special Procedures Branch for Human Rights Defenders. The AHRC also contacted various government bodies and foreign consulates in India seeking support.
Due to the immense pressure from various corners, including from local and international organisations there was a response from the state government. The person who called Mr. Lenin and threatened him was arrested and later released on bail. There was a huge police presence during the immediate days prior to election and during the day of election. The following statement by Mr. Lenin itself would show how elections were held in the past and how it was held on 17 August 2005.
The police did something, which never happened in the past. They came with public address systems and announced at the upper caste Hindu areas that if anyone would create confusion and commotion preventing the dalits and the lower caste from casting their vote they would be immediately taken into custody according to law. Similarly they went to the lower caste houses and announced that they are free to cast their vote and that every protection would be given for them to exercise their right. This continued for two days immediately prior to the election.
The day of poling was interesting. The dalits and the backward community started pouring in from the morning. But initially many stood behind and watched and once they were sure that no one would attack them as in the past they formed long queues and cast their vote. One another interesting element is that the women from the upper caste also came in huge numbers. Probably Mr. Tiwari was convinced that unless he let their women to exercise their right he would fail the election. The District magistrate also came to the place early in the morning and announced that anyone who disrupts the election proceeding would be immediately taken into custody and those who attempt armed attack would be shot.
At about 1 pm some people, whom we suspect are the aides of Mr. Tiwari tried to cast vote on false names and tried playing fraud. To our surprise they were arrested and taken into custody. To my memory, but for this election, never was there an election here, which could be anywhere called as an election. On the election day people employed by the upper caste candidate would come, take all the ballot papers, fix the seal of the candidate of their choice and the put it back in the ballot box and the entire election would be over within a matter of few hours and those who challenged this never could live in Belwa anymore.
But this time it was different. I do not know how to thank all those who made this possible for us. Now the question is to maintain the same calm and peace for the counting, which is coming up next week. I hope things will go smoothly. This is the result of a collective work.
After the instruction of SSP Varanasi a FIR was lodged under section 504,506 IPC of crime number 117/2005 at Phoolpur police station on 7 August 2005 against Mr. Ramashray Singh, but FIR was not registered to commit the offence of making disturbance in election process. It should be noted that FIR under crime no. 117/2005 was registered due to the intervention of AHRC. After issuing action alert by AHRC, many protest letters and email were sent from many corner of the world to NHRC, Chief minister of UP, SSP and DM of Varanasi. One of the protest letters in this respect sent by INSEC, Nepal to NHRC, India was treated as a petition (case no.: 14004/24/05-06/UC) and NHRC issued notice to SSP, Varanasi. Then responding to this SSP, Varanasi appointed to SPRa (Superintendent of Police: rural area) for the in-depth enquiry. On a letter from FIAN international, Chief Minister of UP gave an order to SSP, Varanasi to make an enquiry in this case of death threatening.
The feudal forces or upper caste do not want to loose their hold from village, so they try ruthlessly again and again to capture the power anyhow. They are not habitual to tolerate the equality of dalit and backward communities. You can see that on 14 October 2005 during the next voting for block development committee and district panchayat election. They (upper caste) captured the booth for fake voting, as they were very well aware of my absence from the area during election period. Again by booth capturing and giving threatening to dalit and backwards, they knowingly wanted to demoralize the dalit and backwards community. This is the common practice of upper caste people and feudal forces that they know very well that they can maintain their unequal and exploitative social, economic and political privilege by demoralizing dalit and backwards communities. For that purpose they can make threatening, insulting, luring and even killing.
According to the complaint made by villagers of Belwa to District Magistrate of Varanasi on 14.10.2005 during voting two persons named Guddu Tiwari son of Rajendra Tiwari and Dabloo Singh (Muscle man of Rajendra Tiwari) captured force fully booth number 119,120,121,123 and snatched the voting paper from voters and got it stamped for their own candidate and dropped this fake voting papers in ballot box. Till now neither any action was taken against culprits nor the election was cancelled of above-mentioned booths, because Mr. Aparajita Singh, who is Chief election commissioner of UP, is a resident of same village and he played a biased role in this respect to not cancel the election.
Since 2001 Dalit and backward castes children and their parents have been making demand for opening the primary School in dalit ghetto of Belwa village. On 21 October 2005,children from these communities of Belwa village organized a protest before District Magistrate of Varanasi and submitted a petition for opening of primary school under the fundamental right of education. Recently elected members of Local self-Governance signed petition cum resolution and handed it over to the district magistrate, Varanasi on 1 Dec. 2005. Local Self – Governance (LSG) of UP, India has been set up right from village level to District level consisted of three level bodies. The following members of different level of LSG have signed the resolution for opening the Government Primary School at Badepur of Belwa for children of Dalit and Backward Community. Among the signatories all members of Jila Panchayat and BDC of this area have signed the resolution and eight members out of fifteen of Village Panchayat have also signed the said resolution.
Rajesh Kumar Patel (Member-Jila Panchayat/District Council, ward No. 14),Ajit Kumar Singh (Member –Block development Committee),Dinesh Kumar Patel (Member –Block development Committee),Bali Ram (Member –Block development Committee),Shyam Lal (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa),Vikrama Prasad (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa), Tara Devi(Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa) ,Hori Lal(Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa) ,Udal Prasad Verma (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa),Geeta Devi (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa) ,Girja Devi (Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa),Kishuna Devi(Member –Village Panchayat,Belwa).
In this respect it should also be taken in to account that aforesaid signatories of resolution have expressed their serious apprehension of death threatening from Mr. Rajendra Tiwari, Village Pradhan (head man).
On 13 December 2005, circle officer (police), Cholapur of Varanasi called for to note down the statements of Lenin, SNGiri and Anupam in the case of death threatening given to Lenin, Anupam and SN Giri. In this respect a letter from office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva signed by three respective official (Letter is attached).
In this whole episode it should be noted that no FIR has yet been lodged against the perpetrators in relation to threatening given to a woman activist Anupam. ( An urgent appeal to this effect is attached).
Therefore it is requested that the rule of law should be established and administration should be made accountable to open school in village Belwa to ensure education for Dalit and backward children.
Hkkjr dk LFkk;h fe’ku] tsusok
PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA
Pankaj Saran TO THE UNITED NATION OFFICES
Minister (Political) 9, RUE DU VALAIS,
Tel # 0041-22-9068686 1202 GENEVA
Fax # 0041-22-9068696
Email: pankaj.saran@ties.itu.int
TELEFAX
No. GEN/PMI/353/37/2004
To: Foreign New Delhi Date: August 17,2005
Rpt: Shri. Kirthy Kumar, Director (HR) MHA, N. Delhi No. of pages: 4
JS (UNES) from Minister (Pol.) Reptd: Director (UNES-II)
Subject: Communication No. G/SO/214 (67-13), G/SO/214 (107-5)
G/SO/214 (78-11) IND 14/2005 dated 16 August 2005 received from
OHCHR.
The above mentioned communication (copy attached), jointly signed
by three Special Rapporteurs addressed to EAM, has been received by us yesterday. The case relates to two incidents (on 5 and 10 August 2005) of alleged ill-treatment by high-casts Villagers in District Varanasi (U.P.) to one Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and two of his associates who are stated to be running an NGO for the welfare of Dalits.
2. Grateful for facts for reply.
(Pankaj Saran)
Minister (Political)
NATION UNIES UNITED NATIONS
Haut COMMISSARIAT AUX DROITS DE L’HOMME HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Telefax: (41-22)-9179006 Address:
Telegrams: UNATIONS, GENEVE Palaldos Nations
Telex: 41 29 62 CH-1211 GENEVE 10
Internet: www.
E-mail:
REFERENCE: UA G/SO 214 (67-13) G/SO 214 (107-5) G/SO 214(78-11)
IND 14/2005
16 August 2005
Excellency,
We have the honour to address you in our capacities as Special Rappoteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, Xenophobia and related intolerance, Special Rappoteur on the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and Special Representative of the Secretary- General on the situation of human rights defenders pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolutions 2002/68, 2002/48 and 2002/64.
In this connection, we would like to draw the attention of your Government to information we have received concerning Dr. Lenin Raghuvanashi, a Human Rights Defender with the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee for Human Rights (PVCHR), an organization working for Dalit and ‘lower caste’ communities in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, focusing on education for children, including the setting up of a local school, and the right to self determination for these communities members, his associate Mr. S.N. Giri and Ms. Anupam Naghvanshi, field coordinator for PVCHR.
According to the information received, on 5 August 2005, at approximate 8:00 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi allegedly received a phone-call, on his mobile phone, from a man linked to the village authorities (the identify of whom is known to the Special Representative) demanding that Mr. S.N. Giri withdraw his nomination from an election due to be held in Belwa village on 17 August 2005. Furthermore, on 7 August 2005, at approximately 20:35, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi allegedly received another phone-call from the same person threatening that if his associate did not withdraw his nomination, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, his family and Mr. S.N. Giri would be shot dead. Dr. Lenin recorded the phone conversation and has lodged a complaint with the Senior Superintendent of the Police and District Magistrate. He has reportedly also fixed a complaint to the Chief Minister of the State. Moreover, previously on 26 August 2003, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi had been arrested and detained for 4 hours for organizing a protest before Sub Divisional Magistrate in Varanasi.
It is reported that on 10 August 2005, at approximate 16:00, Ms. Anupam Naghvanshi, was surrounded by a number of people connected to the village authorities (the identity of whom is known to the Special Representative) who asked her why she was encouraging the Dalits and ‘lower caste’ community to cast their vote in the upcoming election. Ms. Anupam Naghvanshi was allegedly threatened with murder if she returned to Belwa village. Ms. Anupam telephoned the police at approximate 18:00 on 10 August 2005 but no officer was dispatched. She then sent a written complain by registered post to Phoolpur police station. It is reported that no action has been taken in this case by Phoolpur police.
His Excellency
Mr. K. Natwar Singh
The Minister for Foreign Affairs
New Delhi, India
In light of fact that the Belwa village and its surrounding areas are reportedly known for booth capturing and election related fraud, and that during the February 2002 elections, people from these communities were allegedly assaulted when they turned out to vote, these threats could constitute an attempt to intimidate Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Mr. S.N. Giri and Ms. Anupam Naghvashi and prevent them from carrying out their human rights work with the Dalit and ‘lower caste’ in Varanasi.
Without in any way implying and determination on the facts of the case, we would like to refer Your Excellency’s Government to the fundamental principles set forth in the Declaration on the Rights and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom, and in particular article 1 and 2 which state that everyone has the right individually or in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom at the National and International levels” and that “each State has prime responsibility and duty to protect, promote and implement all human rights and fundamental freedom, inter alia, by adopting such step as may be necessary to create all conditions, necessary in the social, economic, political and other fields, as well as the legal guarantees required to ensure that all persons under its jurisdiction, individually and in association with others, are able to enjoy all those rights and freedoms in practice”.
We should like to appeal to your Excellency’s Government to take all necessary steps to secure the right to freedom of opinion and expression of the above mentioned persons, in accordance with fundamental principles as set forth article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reiterated in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right which provide that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right include freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
Furthermore, we should like to appeal to your Excellency’s Government to guarantee the right to equality and non-discrimination of these persons in accordance in article 1 and 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as article 2.1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by your country on 10 July 1979, where State undertake to ensure to all individuals within their territory, without discrimination, the rights enunciated in the Convention, including right to vote (article 25 b), and article 2.2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ratified by your country on 10 July 1979, where States undertake to guarantee to all without discrimination the rights enunciated in the convention, including the right to education (article 13).
We urge your Government to take necessary measure to guarantee that the rights and freedoms of the aforementioned persons are respected. We also request that your Government adopt effective measure to prevent the recurrence of these acts.
In view of the urgency of the matter, we would appreciate a response on the initial step taken by your Excellency’s Government to safeguard and rights of above mentioned persons in compliance with the International instruments.
Moreover, it is our responsibility under the mandates provided to us by the Commission on Human Rights and reinforced by the appropriate resolutions of General Assembly, to seek to clarify all cases brought to our attention. Since we are expected to report on these cases to the Commission, we would be grateful for your cooperation and your observations on the fallowing matters, when relevant to the case under consideration.
1. Are the facts alleged in the above summary of these cases accurate?
2. Has a complained been lodged by or on behalf of the alleged victims?
3. Please provide the details, and where available the results, of any investigation and judicial or other inquiries carried out in relation to this case. If no inquires have taken place or if they have been inconclusive please explain why.
4. In the event that the alleged perpetrators are identified, please provide the full details of any prosecution which have been undertake; Have penal, disciplinary or administrative sanctions been imposed on the alleged perpetrators?
We undertake to ensure that your Government’s response to each of these questions is accurately reflected in the reports we will submit to the Commission on Human Rights for its consideration.
Accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Doudou Diene
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination,
Xenophobia and related intolerance
Ambeyi Ligado
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of
Opinion and expression
Hina Jilani
Special representative of the Secretary-General on the situation
Of human rights defenders
UPDATE (India): Another human rights activist threatened for working with Dalits in Uttar Pradesh
UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEALASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMUpdate on Urgent Appeal11 August 2005[UA-138-2005: INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward Community]----------------------------------------------------------UP-95-2005: INDIA: Another human rights activist threatened for working with Dalits in Uttar PradeshINDIA: Human rights defenders; Threats and intimidation; Government and police inaction------------------------------------------------Dear friends,The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that further threats have been made to a colleague of Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, who we reported on only two days ago as having received death threats (See further UA-138-2005).The AHRC has confirmed information that further to this earlier threat to Dr. Lenin and his colleague Mr. S. N. Giri, the same people have now threatened Ms. Anupam Nagvanshi, who likewise works in Belwa Village for the dalits and backward people. On 10 August 2005, Ms. Anupam was surrounded by Mr. Ranjendra Thiwari, his son Mr. Gudu Thiwari and their men, while she was talking to the villagers in Belwa. The following is Ms. Anupam’s statement of what happened:“I work with Dr. Lenin at the PVCHR. Yesterday while I was working with the villagers in Belwa, I was surrounded by Mr. Rajendra Thiwari, his son Mr. Gudu Thiwari and their men. Then Mr. Ranjendra Thiwari asked me why I was telling the daliths and the backward people in the village that they can also cast their vote in the coming election? He further said why I should worry about the local body election in the village and why I should educate the daliths and the backward community in the village? He said that my work and that of my orgnaisation and my colleagues result in loss of free manpower in the village. They said that the daliths and the members of the backward community do not have a right to be educated and to participate in any election. They threatened me that they would murder me if I ever dared to come to this village and that they are not happy of outsiders like me and my colleagues coming and talking to the daliths and the backward community in Belwa village. I am scared that these people will murder me even if I am not in Belwa village. Later Mr. Baba Singh, the elected Block Development Head came and met me and said that I am like a daughter to her and that I should never enter Belwa village. I said that I would complain to the police regarding all these to which he said that the police and the administration is only to serve Mr. Thiwari and himself and they would not take any action upon my complaint.”The situation in Belwa and neighbouring villages is such that the might of the upper caste is prevailing over those working for human rights in the area. Human rights activists are fearful for their lives, particularly since the local administration has not yet extended their support in preserving law and order in the region. The immediate retaliation of the caste Hindus with the support of the local civil administration is to suppress any act that might liberate the dalits and backward community from their servitude.Despite this incident having been brought to the attention of the state and central administration, no action has been taken by the government agencies to safeguard life and preserve law and order in Varanassi and the surrounding villages, where human rights activists are engaged in working with the lower caste community.In light of this, we request that you write to the relevant authorities listed below seeking their intervention in this case. The state and central government must take immediate action in this case, including affording protection to Ms. Anupam, Dr. Lenin and Mr. S. N. Giri in particular, and human rights activists in general.
INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward Community
URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM 9 Aug 2005---------------------------------------------------------------------- UA-138-2005: INDIA: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with Dalit and Backward CommunityINDIA: Human rights defenders; --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to bring to your immediate attention the situation faced by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, a human rights activist working for the Dalits and the backward class in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Dr Lenin and his colleagues have been subjected to death threats from the upper castes to stop working for the dalit and backward classes.Dr Lenin has been working in Belwa village, largely to provide education to children from the dalit and backward class who have been denied this right by the upper castes. The state government has not provided schooling for this community despite their long-standing demand.The backward classes and the dalits have also been denied the right to vote. Belwa village and its surrounding areas are known for booth capturing and election related fraud. During the February 2002 election, people from these communities were brutally assaulted when they went to vote. Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr Giri, Dr Lenin's associate has filed his nomination and is expected to be a strong contender due to his popularity amongst the backward community.On August 5, Mr.Rama Sharay Singh called Dr Lenin on his mobile phone (No: 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Around the same time, Mr.Giri also received death threats in the village where he was working. Once again, on August 7, Mr Singh called up Dr. Lenin and said that if the nomination was not withdrawn, Mr Giri and his family would be shot dead.Dr. Lenin recorded the conversation, made copies of it and is now meeting the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Brij Bushan and the District Magistrate, Mr. Gokaran to lodge his complaint. Dr. Lenin has also faxed a complaint to the Chief Minister of the state regarding the incident.In this context, the AHRC requests you to intervene and call upon the Government of India and the State Administration of Uttar Pradesh in particular, to provide full protection to Dr. Lenin, Mr. S. N. Giri and their families. An impartial inquiry into the incident must also be conducted immediately. Please also urge the State Human Rights Commission to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident and make public its report and findings. The district administration should immediately consider the long pending request of the Dalit and backward community of Belwa to open a public school for the children. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Backward Community should also look into the incident, conduct an inquiry into the situation of Dalits and backward community in Uttar Pradesh and recommend effective measures to the State as well as the Central Government in order to put an end to the existing caste based oppression and discrimination. And finally, the State as well as National Election Commission should inquire into the incident and take appropriate action against those who are threatening Mr. S. N. Giri to withdraw his candidature.Urgent Appeals DeskAsian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)-------------------------------------------------------------Case Details:Since 2000, Dr. Lenin has been working with the dalits and the backward community in Belwa village, under the jurisdiction of the Phoolpur police station in Varanasi. One of the issues Dr. Lenin focuses on is education for children from the Dalit and backward community and the right to self determination for these community members. Dr. Lenin’s colleague, Mr. S. N. Giri is also involved in this work. Mr. Giri is an accepted person among the Dalits and the backward community in the village. To provide education to the children from these communities, Dr. Lenin with the help of the benefactor families and with financial assistance from CRY, an international organisation, has started a local school where approximately 200 children receive primary education. It is alleged that the local village head Mr. Ranjedra Thiwari, who has held this position for the last 27 years, is opposed to the presence of this school. Since the post of the village head has been reserved for a woman, Mr. Thiwari’s wife is holding the post. It is also alleged that Mr. Thiwari in the past has publicly declared that the children from the Dalit and backward community do not have a right to education and that no one from this community has the right to cast their vote in any election. Mr. Thiwari comes from the upper Brahmin caste. It is alleged that owing allegiance to the pressure from the upper caste community, the state government has not provided any school for the lower caste and backward community in this village despite their long pending demand. These children are also not permitted to attend other schools. On 26 August 2003, Dr. Lenin and his colleagues, together with the support from the local lower caste and backward community, organised a protest before the Sub Divisional Magistrate in Varanasi. Dr. Lenin was immediately arrested and detained by the authorities. The Sub Divisional Magistrate also comes from the same caste as Mr. Thiwari. Dr. Lenin was released after four hours of detention following a huge outcry from individuals and groups within the national and international community.This village and its surrounding places are known for booth capturing and election fraud. In 2001, a people’s tribunal headed by Mr. Justice Sukumaran concluded after a public hearing that there is a clear denial of the right to vote for Dalits and the backward community. The tribunal in its report categorically stated that the police, administration and even the judiciary is biased against the Dalits and the backward community. Belwa was also in the news when there was rampant booth capturing during the 21 February 2002 election in which Mr. Ajay Rai was declared elected to the state legislative assembly. During this election, many people from the Dalit and backward community were brutally assaulted when they came to cast their vote. It is alleged that Mr. Rai is known for his involvement in numerous criminal activities. Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr. Giri, Dr. Lenin’s associate has filed a nomination from Belwa and it is expected that he will be a strong contender in the election owing to his popularity amongst the poor, Dalits and the backward community. On August 5 at about 8 am, a Mr. Rama Sharay Singh called Dr. Lenin on his mobile phone (number 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Dr. Lenin responded that to file the nomination and to stand for election is Mr. Giri’s right and that no one can object to that. Around the same time, Mr. Giri also received threats in the village where he was working and therefore immediately went to Dr. Lenin’s office in Varanasi. At about 8.35 p.m. on August 7, Mr. Singh again called Dr. Lenin on the same number and threatened that if Mr. Giri did not withdraw his nomination, Dr. Lenin and his family and Mr. Giri will be shot dead. This is not the first time that Dr. Lenin and his colleagues have come under the line of fire of the upper castes. On 13 November 2001, Mrs. Durga, an activist associated with Dr. Lenin’s organisation and her husband Mr. Adya Prasad were attacked by Mr. Thiwari and his armed men. A month ago, on October 23, Dr. Lenin and his wife Mrs. Shruti were attacked by Mr. Thiwari’s men for organising an educational campaign. Immediately after the incident, Mr. Thiwari called Dr. Lenin and informed him that he would be murdered along with his family if he continued his work. Mr. Thiwari has also threatened that he would kill Ms. Asha Devi, a teacher in the local school for educating Dalit children. This incident is yet another glaring example of how the upper caste dominates the lower caste and the backward community in India and exposes the poor defence that the Government of India continues to use when challenged on caste issues.BACKGROUND INFORMATIONVaranasi and the surrounding region was, in the past, known for Lord Buddha’s work and his early activities. However, this region is now known for hardcore and often fanatic upper caste Hindu religious activities and propaganda. The region is infamous for upper caste atrocities against the lower and backward castes such as bonded labour, systematic oppression, feudal systems of punishment where the entire village is punished in the most inhuman way for alleged acts of disrespect by the members of lower caste and also for destruction of statues of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, in Dalit and backward class villages. For centuries, education has been denied to the children from the Dalit and the backward community. Even political leaders who have been elected in this region have publicly stated that the children from these communities must not be provided education and members from this community should not be allowed to participate in elections. It is within this environment that Dr. Lenin and his colleagues are working for the Dalits and the backward class.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
NBA PROTEST: Day 8: Medha Patkar's health deteriorates
NBA PROTEST: Day 8: Medha Patkar's health deteriorates
The Times of India
Wednesday April 05, 2006
------------------------
NEW DELHI: Unrelenting in her demand that work on the Sardar Sarovar
Dam should be halted immediately, Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha
Patkar's indefinite fast entered the eighth day on Wednesday.
Left weak by seven days of fasting, Patkar has difficulty in
speaking and NBA activists standing with her at the Jantar Mantar
expressed concern over her deteriorating condition. She is having
water only and was vomiting since morning.
NBA activists were on an indefinite fast for eighth day in the
national capital demanding stoppage of work on increasing the height
of the dam to 121.92 metres from the current 113 metres till the
project affected people are rehabilitated.
Patkar had a stream of visitors from the civil society, including
noted Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande and academician Prof Yashpal,
expressing solidarity with the protest.
NBA activists were taking their turn in joining Patkar's in her fast
as three of them -- Dheeraj Kumar, Avdesh and Nakhreen Behn --
started their protest.
Yesterday, Patkar turned down Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's request
to end her indefinite hunger strike saying that her agitation would
continue till the government makes public its report on the
rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar
Project.
Deputed by the Prime Minister, Union Water Resources Minister
Saifuddin Soz, who met Patkar twice yesterday conveyed Singh's
request to call off her seven-day long strike.
Online available at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1478696.cms
The Times of India
Wednesday April 05, 2006
------------------------
NEW DELHI: Unrelenting in her demand that work on the Sardar Sarovar
Dam should be halted immediately, Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha
Patkar's indefinite fast entered the eighth day on Wednesday.
Left weak by seven days of fasting, Patkar has difficulty in
speaking and NBA activists standing with her at the Jantar Mantar
expressed concern over her deteriorating condition. She is having
water only and was vomiting since morning.
NBA activists were on an indefinite fast for eighth day in the
national capital demanding stoppage of work on increasing the height
of the dam to 121.92 metres from the current 113 metres till the
project affected people are rehabilitated.
Patkar had a stream of visitors from the civil society, including
noted Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande and academician Prof Yashpal,
expressing solidarity with the protest.
NBA activists were taking their turn in joining Patkar's in her fast
as three of them -- Dheeraj Kumar, Avdesh and Nakhreen Behn --
started their protest.
Yesterday, Patkar turned down Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's request
to end her indefinite hunger strike saying that her agitation would
continue till the government makes public its report on the
rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar
Project.
Deputed by the Prime Minister, Union Water Resources Minister
Saifuddin Soz, who met Patkar twice yesterday conveyed Singh's
request to call off her seven-day long strike.
Online available at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1478696.cms
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Narmada becomes a bigger issue
Narmada becomes a bigger issue
Gargi Parsai
It has now become an issue of water being used for genocidal agriculture policies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly it is the nerve centre of the new wave of displacements
Water is important but not at the cost of the tribal and rural people
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW DELHI: There has been an overwhelming _expression of support for the Narmada Bachao Andolan at the dharna site at Jantar Mantar where NBA leader Medha Patkar is on an indefinite fast with two others. Two more persons, Rajabhai and Bhanabhai, joined the hunger strike on Tuesday.
Said writer Arundhati Roy: "The Narmada Bachao Andolan has sparked off something ... suddenly it is the nerve centre of the new wave of displacements across the board. Wherever there is this huge corporate interest, the first thing written into that is displacement. So, this whole issue has become crucial for millions of people. Just in Delhi alone there is talk of displacing 30 lakh people for the Commonwealth Games. Whatever happens here is poised to mutate into a situation which may not be as beautiful as the Narmada Bachao Andolan."
According to environmental-activist Vandana Shiva, the struggle of Narmada Bachao Andolan had become a bigger issue than of displacement. "It is now an issue of wastage of water for entertainment complexes along the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. It has now become an issue of precious water being used for genocidal agriculture policies. It is whether the people of India would be able to live in this land or will our land and water become inputs for globally profitable corporates. It is not just a struggle of last 20 years but a struggle of the next 20 years."
Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav, who visited Indore last month, said that water was important but not at the cost of the tribal and rural people, who were called upon to make huge sacrifices for the country. The Prime Minister should intervene and the Supreme Court orders must be implemented. "No dam was bigger than the people. People who are uprooted should get a better life and livelihood. Those who get irrigation benefits should be taxed and those who are displaced should be compensated."
Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing on the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, felt that by continuing to construct the Sardar Sarovar dam without rehabilitating the people first, the Governments were abrogating their responsibility to uphold the human rights of their own people.
`Waterman' Rajinder Singh said the Government should show its "human face" and find a way out for the displaced families of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
About 20,000 participants and representatives of unorganised/contract labour trade unions and social movements of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh and West Bengal under the banner of Mazdoor Adhikar Mela called for the Prime Minister's intervention. They supported the NBA demand for halting the construction of the dam till the displaced people were resettled and rehabilitated.
Gargi Parsai
It has now become an issue of water being used for genocidal agriculture policies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly it is the nerve centre of the new wave of displacements
Water is important but not at the cost of the tribal and rural people
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW DELHI: There has been an overwhelming _expression of support for the Narmada Bachao Andolan at the dharna site at Jantar Mantar where NBA leader Medha Patkar is on an indefinite fast with two others. Two more persons, Rajabhai and Bhanabhai, joined the hunger strike on Tuesday.
Said writer Arundhati Roy: "The Narmada Bachao Andolan has sparked off something ... suddenly it is the nerve centre of the new wave of displacements across the board. Wherever there is this huge corporate interest, the first thing written into that is displacement. So, this whole issue has become crucial for millions of people. Just in Delhi alone there is talk of displacing 30 lakh people for the Commonwealth Games. Whatever happens here is poised to mutate into a situation which may not be as beautiful as the Narmada Bachao Andolan."
According to environmental-activist Vandana Shiva, the struggle of Narmada Bachao Andolan had become a bigger issue than of displacement. "It is now an issue of wastage of water for entertainment complexes along the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. It has now become an issue of precious water being used for genocidal agriculture policies. It is whether the people of India would be able to live in this land or will our land and water become inputs for globally profitable corporates. It is not just a struggle of last 20 years but a struggle of the next 20 years."
Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav, who visited Indore last month, said that water was important but not at the cost of the tribal and rural people, who were called upon to make huge sacrifices for the country. The Prime Minister should intervene and the Supreme Court orders must be implemented. "No dam was bigger than the people. People who are uprooted should get a better life and livelihood. Those who get irrigation benefits should be taxed and those who are displaced should be compensated."
Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing on the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, felt that by continuing to construct the Sardar Sarovar dam without rehabilitating the people first, the Governments were abrogating their responsibility to uphold the human rights of their own people.
`Waterman' Rajinder Singh said the Government should show its "human face" and find a way out for the displaced families of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
About 20,000 participants and representatives of unorganised/contract labour trade unions and social movements of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh and West Bengal under the banner of Mazdoor Adhikar Mela called for the Prime Minister's intervention. They supported the NBA demand for halting the construction of the dam till the displaced people were resettled and rehabilitated.
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