INSAF

(INDIAN SOCIAL ACTION FORUM)

NATIONAL GENERAL BODY MEETING

12-14 April, 2002

Shree Jain Seva Sangh, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Secretary’s Annual Report (April 2001 - March 2002)

I. INTRODUCTION

During the past two months, strangely, I have passed through a period of depression and discouragement as a social and human rights activist. The Gujarat Genocide, Ayodhya, POTA, passing of the Budget, and now the Israel’s military attack on Palestine, had made me feel helpless and hopeless as never before. Very fundamental questions like “where is this world going to” and “whether there is any hope” kept bothering me for quite some time. The mercenaries of death and doom have taken over the entire space, both in the government and on the streets. For a moment, it appears as if the very hope and humanity is at stake! The way people have expressed themselves both politically and practically, however, did revive some of my spirits. This has also given reason to me to continue to repose my faith in the people, and their unfailing faith in the future of humanity, which they are shaping up through suffering and struggling.

INSAF as a national forum, and its various activities, has contributed a great deal towards this revival. The various State Conventions provided me with an opportunity to interact with small social action groups and movements, activists – both political and social, intellectuals and, above all, ordinary people associated with such social and political action. It is their actions that have upheld the principles of secularism, socialism and democracy. The message we get from the people’s actions are that Peace & Justice are still a Vision to realize in reality. This is a case of Hope against Hopelessness! It is against this backdrop that INSAF National General Body Meeting is being held today at Hyderabad.

But, before we venture into what have we done or not done during the past one year, it is necessary for us to be reminded of the mandate given to us exactly two years ago at the National General Body Meeting held in February, 2000 at Nagpur, MS. The two-fold task assigned to the NEC was:

a) to go for the Membership Drive and organize the State units as per the new Constitution of INSAF, and transform it into a truly national forum with a political thrust; and

b) to organize programmes in tune with the basic ideological thrust of INSAF to resist globalization, combat communalism and defend democracy.

The report for the period April 2001 to March 2002, both for activities and organisational, would probably run into several pages. It is practically impossible to report about every programme that has taken place during the past one year. And, since the State Reports have already been presented in considerable detail at this NGB, the task of the Secretary is limited to highlighting some of the events and interventions that INSAF has been able to make as a national forum with a political thrust. And, secondly to put these activities in perspective.

At the very outset, it must be mentioned that this period was largely devoted to:

a) strengthening the organisational base of the “forum” through a conscious membership drive;

b) co-ordination, campaign & solidarity action on social and political concerns among the members through state units, and other secular-democratic organisations;

c) giving concrete shape to the new structure as spelt out in the new Constitution of INSAF;

d) finalizing the project proposal and budgets for the three year’s period; and

e) working on the technical modalities in implementing the project proposal, etc.

Programmes as planned could not be undertaken due to technical reasons. However, the focus remained on projections made at the last National Convention in March 2001 at Ranchi on the Theme of: PEOPLES’ POLITICS – Combating Capitalist & Communalism.

The Membership Drive has, so far, resulted in bringing into INSAF about 518 members, out of which 109.are renewal and 409 are new applicants. The procedure of admitting them as members was unfolded at the respective State Conventions, where the State General Body appointed Monitoring Committees to screen the applications, and establish the credentials of member organisations. As a result, social action groups, social movements and support organisations have been brought into playing a central and crucial role in the national forum. Although, only a limited representation (i.e. one out of every five member organisations) is reflected at this National General Body Meeting, the broad-based participation of such groups and organisations INSAF has, at least, come to justify its name as a: INDIAN SOCIAL ACTION FORUM.

In this regard, it must be made clear from the very beginning that it is neither the numbers game nor expansion geographically that justifies the mandate given to us by the General Body held in February 2000 at Nagpur, where we gave ourselves a new Constitution. It is the shift in the organisational base that brings out the political character of INSAF. Let us remind ourselves of what we said at Nagpur. One, that we shall be a “forum” of “social action”. Two, we would make a conscious effort neither to become an “NGO Forum” nor a “national net-work”. Three, the re-organisation of INSAF would begin at the base by strengthening the state units. As the Secretary, I can conveniently claim that we have followed these guidelines. The New INSAF has come to be recognized as a national forum with a political thrust.

The present position is as follows:

State	Total Membership	Renewal	New
Andhra Pradesh	56	08	48
Kerala	20	13	07
Tamil Nadu	73	25	48
Karnataka	31	10	21
Jharkhand	37	00	37
Bihar	30	05	25
Chattisgarh	53	07	46
M.P.	32	02	30
Maharashtra	42	16	26
Orissa	45	07	38
West Bengal	03	02	01
Gujarat	10	02	08
Goa	01	01	00
Pondicherry	23	01	22
U.P.	52	04	48
New Delhi	10	06	04
Total	518	109	409

II. NATIONAL PROGRAMMES:

a. Co-ordination among People’s Organisations in the newly constituted states of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Chattisgarh.

At the INSAF National Convention at Ranchi, it was proposed that INSAF take the responsibility of co-ordinating the peoples movements and organisations in the newly constituted states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakand. The movements in these newly formed states are in the process of evolving broad-based people’s initiatives for greater accountability and transparency of the governments in these states.

As a part of this process, a social-audit of the promises and performances of the governments of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh had been undertaken. It was not the outcome, but the process which yielded these documents was of political significance. The Jharkhand document has been published, and widely distributed. The Chhattisgarh document has been used for discussions, and would be printed soon. As a next step, A people’s charter on the hopes and aspirations of the people would also be prepared and placed before the governments for wider discussion on Development with social justice.

Programmes were planned to expose the myth of “new states” to coincide with the first Anniversary celebrations by the state authorities. Sharing the contents of the report of the social-audit, creating mass awareness to mobilise popular movements for a more responsible and people-oriented governments were programmes organized in these two states. The third state of Uttaranchal had elections. The state unit of ISNAF is yet to be fully recognized in this state. But, a dialogue was organized to provide a platform to secular-democratic forces to creatively intervene in the forthcoming elections, and a follow-up programme just concluded in the past week.

b. People’s Tribunal on Relief and Response to the Earthquake in Gujarat

INSAF organised a Public Hearing in collaboration of the Indian People’s Tribunal (IPT) on Gujarat Earthquak in Kutch, Rajkot and Ahmedabad districts of Gujarat from 17^th to 20th August. Over 5000 victims participated in these hearings, while over a hundred earthquake-affected villagers, people's representatives, humanitarian workers as well as a few government officials and media personnel testified before the panel at hearings at Anjar, Satapar, Bachau town, Samakhyali and Maliya town and during IPT members' visits to several villages.

The report was published and widely circulated to expose the Gujarat Government’s bias against minorities, women and dalits etc. in relief and rehabilitation.

c. People’s Politics to Combat Capitalism, Communalism and Defend Democracy

Coinciding with the SHAHEED NIYOGI DIWAS on September 28 this year, representatives of People’s Organisations, mass movements and social activists met at Raipur on 29-30 September 2001 met to prepare a plan of action on the PEOPLES’ POLITICS. The INSAF delegation drawn from several parts of the country also participated in the Tenth Martyrdom Day of Comrade Shankar Guha Niyogi, the labour leader from Chhattisgarh who was assassinated by the industrial mafia in 1991. The Public Rally & Meeting focused its attention on the developments after the terrorist attack on WTC, and the implications of war that was then being planned to be waged. It also issued a public statement clarifying INSAF’s stand on Terrorism & War!

The two-day Consultation was devoted to discuss and analyse the emerging socio-political scenario in the country and the impact of globalisation and communalism on the lives and security of the people. The meeting also discussed the state of democracy and the increasing fascist threats to the democratic and secular political space in the country. The meeting finalised a draft paper on `Peoples Politics’, which was circulated in the country to prepare for The PEOPLES’ ACTION WEEK that was observed all over the country from December 3 to December 10.

The PEOPLES’ ACTION WEEK (December 3 – 10,2001). The Week was observed around three historic dates i.e. December 3 (Bhopal Gas Tragedy), December 6 (Babri Mazjid Demolition Day)and December 10 (International Human Rights Day). The Poster and campaign material prepared in Hindi, English & Urdu by the National Affairs Office-NEW DELHI was widely used in the country, and the programmes conducted in several states was attended by secular and democratic organisations and individuals.

During the Peoples’ Action Week, INSAF brought together large number of social activists, people’s organisations, mass movements, NGOs and other individuals to focus on the impact of globalisation and communalism on the nation and the status of democracy. The Week was observed in several states, that have also reported on it. Campaign material such as posters and pamphlets were designed and distributed, that were also translated into regional languages by the state units.

The PEOPLE’S ACTION WEEK- 2001 brought into focus INSAF’s socio-political perspective in knitting together resistance to globalization, combating communalism and defence of democracy as part and parcel of the same struggle to uphold the guiding principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution i.e. Secularism, Socialism and Democracy.

d. Peoples Tribunal on Koel-Karo

In February, 2001 armed police opened fire on a unarmed and peaceful gathering of tribal protesters outside the Police Outpost at Tapkara in Jharkhand killing 8 people and injuring more than 35 people. The people had gathered outside the police station to demand action against police who was beaten a tribal person the previous day. INSAF sent a five-member Fact Finding Team to the area. The Team in its report said that the firing was totally unjustified and was part of a larger plan to crush the mass movement of the Munda adivasi people against the Koel-Karo Dam, which will inundate their traditional lands, forests and displace people from over 235 villages. The Team recommended an investigation into the incident by a Peoples Tribunal under the Chairmanship of retired Judge.

INSAF in collaboration of the Indian People’s Tribunal for Environment and Human Rights constituted a Peoples Tribunal under the Chairperson-ship of Justice Rajendar Sachhar (Former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court). The other members of the Tribunal were: Adv. Sanjay Parikh, Adv. Chittaranjan Singh, Adv. Sudha Baradwaj and Dr. Vinod Raina. The Tribunal was to visit the area in first in August –September, but had to postpone its plans due to non-availability of Justice Sachar. Finally, it visited the area from November 1-3, 2001, and met with experts, journalists and academics concerned with the issue of dams, held a public hearing at Tapkara to hear the views of the people, visited the dam site and their important locations in the area. They also tried to meet concerned government officials to get their views on the issue.

The Tribunal announced their preliminary findings at a Press Conference at Ranchi on 3^rd November 2001, and the final report of their investigation in was published and released on 19^th January 2002.

III. STATE PROGRAMMES

The main focus in the new INSAF is on the re-organisation of the state units. Not only the State Units are becoming the organizational base for new INSAF, but playing a pivotal role in programme implementation. In addition to the state level programmes that are planned and implemented by the State Units, they play a definite role in carrying out the Campaign & Solidarity Action programmes. The National Programmes also get concretized through the State Units. The Table below shows the activities undertaken by the state units during the period April - October 2001:

No.	STATE	Activities (April 2001- March 2002)
1	Karnataka	Workshops on Secular Action, Indigenous Preparation of Consumer Items, Impact of Globalisation on Rural Agricultural Life, Conference on Globalisation and Communalism, The People’s Action Week, Water Campaign, Secular Action
2	Kerala	Campaign on Farmers Rights, Campaign on Adivasi Land Struggle, Water Campaign, The People’s Action Week,
3	Tamil Nadu	People’s agenda and campaign during State elections for a secular government, Seminar on emerging communal politics in Tamil Nadu, Water Campaign, The People’s Action Week
4	Pondicherry	Campaign to stop pollution by leather industry, Empowerment Of Women, campaigns on people’s agenda in state elections
5	Andhra Pradesh	Solidarity with farmers struggles, consultation on impact of globalisation.
6	Maharashtra	Campaign and solidarity on the issues of Child Rights, Vidharbha Autonomy, Godavari valley.
7	Gujarat	Earthquake Relief & Rehabilitation monitoring/ Campaigns /Advocacy, Indian People’s Tribunal.
8	Madhya Pradesh	Campaigns and agitations against communalism, globalisation and displacement of urban & rural poor. Solidarity actions with struggles of adivasis and the poor for forest land rights.
9	Chattisgarh	Campaigns against child labour, land-water-forest rights of the adivasis, anti liquor.
10	Jharkhand	Campaign on a Secular and Democratic Jharkhand, Campaigns on Development and Displacement, Workshop on Cultural Rights / Language, Fact-Findings on human rights violations, Support and Solidarity to people’s movements and struggles.
11	Bihar	State Workshop on Panchayati Raj Election, State Campaign on 73^rd and 74^th Amendment, State Campaign on malnutrition.
12	Uttar Pradesh	Campaigns against communalism, globalisation. Fact-findings on human rights violations.
13	Orissa	Mobilising mass organisations and other networks for a united campaign on food rights.

State Conventions & General Body Meetings were held as follows, which have streamlined the organisational set-up in States, gearing them to play a pivotal role in the future functioning of the forum.

· Pondicherry December 7, 2001 at Pondy

· Uttar Pradesh January 5-6,2002 at Allahabad

· Bihar January 12-13,2002 at Forbesganj

· Chhattisgarh January 16-17,2002 at Raipur

· Jharkhand January 21-22, 2002 at Madhupur

· Madhya Paradesh January 23-24,2002 at Indore

· Orissa January 27-28,2002 at Bhubaneshwar

· Maharashtra February 9-10,2002 at Aurangabad

· Karnataka February 26-27,2002 at Mysore

· Tamilnadu March 2 at Tambaran, Chennai & April 6 & 7, 2002 at Madurai

· Kerala March 2-3, 2002 at Adoor

· Andhra Pradesh March 23 & 24, 2002 at Hyderabad

· Gujarat March 5, 2002 at Ahmedabad

The Theme of the State Conventions has been: PEOPLES’ AGENDA FOR SOVEREIGNTY & SURVIVAL. However, after the Gujarat Carnage, the State Conventions focussed mostly on: CITIZEN’S AGENDA FOR STRENGTHENING SECULAR-DEMOCRATIC POLITY.

III. REGIONAL ACTIVITIES (Campaign and Solidarity Action)

The Regional Co-ordination Committees (RCC) for the East and South Zones met twice duringt this period. (East Zone RCC at Ranchi (May) and Patna (September); and South Zone RCC at Bangalore (April) 2001 and Hyderabad (August).

The NEC in its meeting in March 2001 at Ranchi (during the National Convention) had evolved a participatory mechanism for identifying, implementing monitoring programmes for carrying out Campaign & Solidarity Action Programmes in the states & regions. Four Zones have been identified on the basis of geographical convenience. North Zone (New Delhi, MP, UP, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan), East Zone (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar & W Bengal), West Zone (Gujarat, Goa & Maharashtra), South Zone (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondichery and Tamilnadu). Dr. Neelavalli & Ms. Amrita Dasgupta were appointed as Regional Co-ordinators for East & South Zones respectively in June & July, 2001 by the Regional Co-ordination Committees. And, North Zone appointed Ms. Sulekha Singh as the Regional Co-ordinator in September, 2001.

The RCC consist of all State Convenors and NEC Members from the region, plus the national office-bearers if present. The National Secretary (State Co-ordination) is a permanent invitee, and co-opted members (not more than three) representing expertise that is not ordinarily available in the RCC could be appointed. The Tasks assigned to the RCC are :

1. Monitor, identify and relate to the ongoing struggles and movements in the region;

2. Establish and facilitate linkages and solidarity with and among organisations, movements involved in people’ issues;

3. Facilitate and co-ordinate all campaign and solidarity actions in the region

4. Co-ordinate all activities and programmes in the region in consultation with State Committees;

5. Mobilize, allocate and account for resources for campaign and solidarity action.

The Committee could meet, at least, thrice in a year i.e. once in four months and, if necessary, as and when necessary.

The South Zone & East Zone RCCs focused on the issues of concerns in their respective states and region, and decided to focus on campaign and solidarity action on four issues: Farmer’s Rights Vs WTO, Politics of Water, Democratic Rights, and Secular Action.

The East Zone RCC discussed on the issues of concerns in the east zone states and the region and decided to focus on campaign and solidarity action on four issues: Food Sovereignty, Politics of Water, Human & Democratic Rights, and Natural Calamities & Disasters.

However, the similar process could not be unfolded in West and North Zone due to organisational problems.

In future, we need to strengthen the Regional organisational structure so as to make INSAF more effective.

V. CAMPAIGN ON WATER POLITICS:

The launching of CAMPAIGN ON WATER POLITICS ( January 26,2002 at Bhubaneshwar). The Campaign material and a two month’s programme outline have already been prepared and sent to respective States for carrying on the campaign. It includes brochures in Hindi & English, Poster and a booklet. The Campaign has provided the basis for streamlining the resistance to globalization with people’s participation at the local, regional and national level. The first phase of the campaign came to an end on either March 22 ( International Water Day) or March 23 ( SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH’S MARTYRDOM DAY) in several states, and pave the way for the second phase of the campaign, materializing in a mass movement bringing together a broad alliance of forces facing the threats posed by gloabalization.

VI. INTERVENTION IN STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN UTTTAR PRADESH:

Since the UP State Assembly Elections held in February 2002 were of utmost political significance, INSAF intervened in it by first organising a Pre-Election Consultation in Uttar Pradesh (December 15 & 16,2001 at Lucknow). It resulted in issuing AN OPEN LETTER to the Secular-Democratic political parties in the State on behalf of the INSAF Consultation. A systematic voter’s awakening programme was also launched with the preparation and publication of THE PEOPLE’S MANIFESTO which was widely used during the election campaign. Several Conventions & Mass Meetings were held bringing together social action groups and people’s organisations to enabling the voters to take a bold stand in strengthening of the secular-democratic polity in the state. Needless to say, INSAF had taken the lead in this regard, and its intervention in the political event crucial for the entire nation was recognised and appreciated.

VII. GUJARAT & AYODHYA

The communal carnage in Gujarat and the build-up for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya are reasons enough to bow our heads in shame. "We the people of India...." have proclaimed ourselves to be a “secular and democratic republic” and, thus, profess the right to a life with no communal violence.

As a national forum of social action groups, social movements and progressive intellectuals, INSAF is committed to resist globalization, combat communalism and defend democracy INSAF had planned positive responses to these challenges posed by the forces of fascism. Since its inception in November 1993, INSAF had taken up Secular Action Agenda as its main plank of programmes. All member organizations have been involved in action to ensure peace and harmony in the midst of communal carnage in the country, especially during 12^th and 15^th of March, 2002.

In order to chalk out a long-term strategy to combat communalism, INSAF organized a Convention on “Citizen’s Agenda to Strengthen Secular-Democratic Polity” on 17^th & 18^th of March, 2002 at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), in which discussions rotated round the current communal situation in the country – analysis and interpretation. Various aspects of it were discussed. “Hindutva Agenda” & Its Implications On Nation & People (Sri Prabhash Joshi, Senior Journalist); “Globalization Agenda” & Its Linkages with “Hinduta Agenda” (Sri Anil Chaudhary, Vice-President, INSAF), and “Hindutva Agenda & Its Historical Perspective” (Dr. Lal Bahadur Verma, Historian, Allahabad). The Lucknow Convention made a suggestion to send An INSAF Team to study-

a ) the fascist mobilisation, planning, training (militia) and pogrom in Gujarat.

b) the conditions of victims of the genocide pogrom (issues of economic/physical assaults, sexual barbarism, etc. Specific focus on the authenticity and reasons behind statements like : “for the first time women have been directly / actively involved in the communal carnage/riots”, and as to how Adivasis and Dalits were effectively used as a shield and weapon in the communal carnage in Gujarat).

c) the Role of the State

d) the issues of concerns for social action groups and the anti-fascist mobilisation.

STUDY TEAM:

1. Dr. Kalpana Kannabiran, Professor, NALSAR, Hyderabad

2. Chittaranjan Singh, Human Rights Activist & Free Lance Journalist, UP

3. Dayamani Barla, Journalist & Social Activist, Jharkhand

4. Manimala, Free Lance Journalist, New Delhi

5. Ms. Shashi Sail, Chhattisgarh Mahila Jagriti Sangathan, Chhattisgarh

OBSERVERS:

1. Akshay Sail, Communication Activist, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Co-ordinator:

Mr. Wilfred D’Costa, National Secretary (State Co-ordination), INSAF, Gujarat

The Study Team spent more time in the rural areas of North Gujarat (Mehsana & Sabarkantha districts), which have remained largely un-touched by earlier investigations/studies, and visited Gujarat from 2^nd to 5^th of April, 2002.

The Report & Recommendations of the Study Team would form the basis for formulations of a long-term strategy and action plan for INSAF to intervene in the Gujarat Situation in particular, and the growing communal situation in the country in general. It would be presented at the NGB ain a Public Meeting at Hyderabad.

The plan prepared at Lucknow has projected District level Conventions to Combat Communalism, culminating in a People’s FORUM for Peace & Secularism on 2^nd June 2002 at Lucknow, the people’s political will to strengthen secular-democratic polity should be demonstrated in defeating the draconian designs of fascist forces.

V. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND CO-ORDINATION

The National Executive Committee met in June 28-29, 2001 at Mumbai, February 12 & 13, 2002 at Puri, and recently on April 11 at Hyderabad to discuss and finalise concerning programmes, staff and other organisational matters, preparing and planning for the National General Body Meeting. The Sub-Committees on Finance and Administration, Programmes and others concerns met at Raipur on 26-27 September, 2001 and later on March 23 2002 at Hyderabad to finalise and co-ordinate financial management and administrative matters. The Staff Team met at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Raipur and Puri to co-ordinate programmes and other activities.

VI. WORKING GROUP ON GENDER STRATEGIES

The Working Group on Gender strategies was constituted to fulfil specific needs

· To write a position paper that stated clearly the Gender Perspective of INSAF

· To translate into action the outcomes of the Women’s Consultation held in October, 1999, and the Women’s National Convention in February, 2000;

In order to give concrete expression to this task, INSAF organized a Consultation in Mumbai on 27^th –28^th June with the mandate to: