INSAF NARRATIVE REPORT
October 2004 to March 2005
Contents:
|
I |
State Reports |
|
II |
National Programme Reports |
|
III |
Annexure |
|
1 |
ANTI- COKE DISCUSSION August 30-31, 2004 |
I. STATE
REPORTS
1. INSAF KARNATAKA
Three rounds of INSAF-Karnataka
meetings were held in NISARGA, CORD and DEED. Eight newspapers regularly have
been watched to collect information on Combat communalism, resist Globalization
and defend democracy. The collected information will be shared among the
members in the next quarter.
Strengthening Adivasi Movement for
Self-rule and Cultural identity:
Two important Programmes were held
in Tribal areas, one in Hunsur Dasanapur and other one in Kushalnagar. In
Dasanapura 400 adivasis participated in the Adivasi Decade Concluding ceremony
on 10th October 2004. Mysore Zilla Panchayat President Mr. K.C.Balram and Vice president of Mysore Zilla
Panchayat, adivasi leader and INSAF Ex- NEC member Smt. Jaji participated as
chief guests. They declared to support Tribal Self-Rule Struggle by recommending
Mysore District Integrated Tribal Development Programme areas to be considered
as Scheduled areas. As per the assurance the Mysore Zilla Panchayat has passed
resolution and recommended to consider ITDP areas as scheduled areas. The same
issue will be taken up in the other districts by involving tribal
organisations, TJA and INSAF. In Kushalnagar over 3000 tribals from South India
participated in the concluding Sangamam held on 11th and 12th of October
workshop followed by a big culture Jatha. Tribals from Kodagu provided
leadership to this event. More number of tribals from Virajpet, Somavarpet,
Hunsur, H.D.Kote and Mudgere participated. A detailed memorandum was submitted
to Deputy commissioner of Kodagu which enthused the tribals and put pressure on
the Government to declare scheduled areas and work for tribal cultural
identity.
Establishing Tribal rights over
natural resources:
A week long enter forest agitation,
as part of Non-Cooperation and Non-violent direct action to pressurize the
Government to amend Wild Life Protection Act 1972 and to respect tribal rights
over natural resources was launched from 18th to 22nd Dec. 2004 in the
Nagarahole National Park area of Hunsur and H.D.Kote area. Entering forest from
6 points - 18th December from Billenahosally Chaudamma forest and Kakanakote
forest, on 19th December from Chamali forest, on 20th December from Banare
forest, on 21st December from Darmapura forest and on 22nd December from
Mantalli forest of Veeranahosally range. Nearly 1350 tribals participated in
the weeklong struggle. The notice was served to forest authorities and district
administration and police with copy to press. Tribals declared to continue the
agitation till Government takes appropriate decision to recognize tribal rights
over natural resources. Budakattu Krishikara Sanga and Vanavasi(adivasi)
Girijana Mahila Sanga actively participated in the agitation and collected
minor forest produce from the forest and offered puja in their worshipping
places.
Combat Communalism:
The local organisation, Chintana Foundation in Chikkamanglore
organised their protest. Similarly in Mysore along with progressive
organisations and intellectuals, a symbolic Pada Yathra was organised on 6
December by condemning communal forces creating problem in Datta Peeta.
Democratic Rights:
A dialogue has been initiated
with partners of coalition Government
in Karnataka. One round discussion has taken place with their think tank to
create separate Panchayats for tribals in ITDP areas. A memorandum will be submitted to the Rural Development Minister
and the Secretary to recommend tribal areas to be considered as scheduled areas
and create separate Panchayats for Local Governance and developments. A
conference will also be organised by involving concerned Ministers.
Programme on opposing water
privatization:
A meeting was held in Gundlupet with
interested friends to oppose water privatization. A conference will be held by
involving Dudee organisation in Gundlupet in the next quarter.
Workshop on Gender Equity:
A workshop on Gender equity was held
in H.D.Kote on 18th December by involving Women members from 40 SHG’s. 200 women participated in the workshop. The
programme was organised by Nisarga and BKS for INSAF. A bigger conference has
been planned by involving 1000 women members of SHG’s in the region.
Contributions towards Tsunami
affected people:
Rupees 19,140 was collected from SHG
members, adivasis, children, activists and
given to Chief Minister’s relief fund to assist Tsunami affected people.
A contribution was made through Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
Mr.Siddaramaiah and District Commissioner of Mysore Mr. G.Kumar Nayak.
Empowerment of Youths on three
issues of INSAF:
Combat Communalism, resist
Globalization and defend Democracy has been popularized in schools and colleges
of Pandavpura taluk of Mandya , Somarpet taluk of Kodagu, Hunsur and H.D.Kote
taluks of Mysore. Prajnya Trust from Panduvapura, a member of INSAF has taken
up campaign to propagate these three mantras (issues) and organised a workshop
on 28th November by involving students, activists, teachers and press people on
these aspects. The workshop enthused several students, and press coverage was
good.
2. PONDICHERRY
INSAF Pondicherry carried out the
Rapid Assessment Report of the Tsunami hit coastal villages in Pondicherry on
26 December 2004. INSAF Pondicherry
visited villages in the East Coast Road (towards Chennai) stretch: Solai Nagar,
Chinna Kalapet, Periakalapet, Kanagachettikulam and Pillaichavadi. One village
(Veerampattinam) was also visited in the Cuddalore Road. Special camps at Pondicherry University,
Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital and a Government School were
also visited by them.
In the assessment, it was found that
the villages Kanagachettikulam, Periakalapet, Kalapet and Pillaichavady bore
heavy damages. What remained in these
fishing hamlets were only dilapidated hoses, utensils, clothes and tucked away
boats.
The total death toll in Pondicherry
Union Territory was nearly 500 (Nearly 100 in Pondicherry and 400 in Karaikal). Estimates about the missing people varied
from 200 to 900. The number of houses
damaged in Pondicherry is 5000 and 10000 in Kariakal. Government sources
estimated the total damage to be Rs. 300 crores (30 million).
As immediate relief measures, the
affected people were given shelter in Pondicherry University Hostels,
Government Schools, Primary Health Centres, PIMS Hospital and Cluny Shena
Illam.
Government announced a compensation
of Rs. 1 lakh to the family of the deceased.
On the first day of the tragedy the Government (through Education
Department and Revenue Department) provided food packets. Second day, the Fisheries Department started
distributing clothing (2 sarees, 2 lungis, 2 towels, 1 bedsheet) and cash
relief of Rs. 2000/- to buy essential items.
It also provided 20 kilograms of rice.
Government has plans to provide school uniforms to 16000 children.
JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of
Postgraduate Medical Education and Research) Hospital and GH (General Hospital)
conducted medical camps in different special camps.
Individual philanthropists, various
Clubs and Organisations have also donated old clothes, rice, food packets,
biscuits, bread, etc. to the people.
Central Government sanctioned Rs. 25 crores (2.5 million) sought by the
State Government as interim relief.
The demand of the people to the
Government was that they should construct houses for them near the East Coast
Road and provide them with fishing equipments.
Most women and some men expressed instead of cash; concrete walls with
boulders should be constructed alongside the hamlets to protect them from the
seawater.
During the assessment for immediate
requirement, people expressed that mats, stoves, cooking utensils should be
provided to them so that they can cook their own food. The uncooked rice distributed could not be
used. The food packets provided by the
Government consisted of lemon rice and curd rice, which the fishermen seldom
used as they were used to spicy food; hence it was difficult for them to digest
the distributed food.
People expressed their dislike for
receiving old clothes but at the same time they did not want to hurt the
sentiments of the donors. They wanted
assistance that would make them live independently with dignity.
INSAF Pondicherry planned to set up
Co-ordination Centres and Child Care Centres immediately and provide cooking
utensils, stoves, etc within a week.
3. INSAF KERALA
The tsunami- the wave of destruction
was a first experience of this generation in Kerala. The Year 2004 was waved
with tears and fury for the people who lived near the sea shore. In comparison to Tamil Nadu, in Kerala the
intensity of damage done by tsunami was little. Yet the fishermen have lost
every thing.
When the Tsunami struck, INSAF
Kerala State Committee was organising the State Youth Training Camp on
‘Secularism’ at Kottayam. On 27th December, INSAF Kerala State Committee was
held at Kottayam Sophia Centre. The committee decided to send an urgent
delegation for enquiry to visit Tsunami affected areas to study and observe the
problems of the victims of this great disaster.
30 youths from various districts of
Kerala, who were the participants of INSAF Kerala Youth Training Programme on
‘Secularism,’ decided to provide their
one day food to the victims of tsunami in the relief camps. The Youth
delegation started their journey from Kottayam at 8.00 am on 29th December.
The team visted Azheekal, Arthunkal,
Thumboli and Andhakaranazhi in Cheertahalai Taluke of.Alapuzha District where
women engaged in drying fish were killed by the killer tsunami in
Anthaklaranazhi. More than 105 tons of dried fish dropped from the sea shore
into the sea and many houses were partially or fully destroyed. Natives and
many social activists were jointly involved in relief work. But there was some
delay in relief work on the part of Kerala Government and this led to protest
against the ministers and political leaders.
31 camps were working in the
district soon after the Tsunami attack. 25,000 people were the inhabitants.
Social activists were providing help to the victims.
On the second day of Tsunami
tragedy, Arthinkal Police warned the people through announcement. The people
were brought away from the affected areas through KSRTC buses. Some people started to return to their own
home from the relief centres and those who lost their home completely were
staying in the camp.
Around 150 persons died in the
southern parts of the district of Alapuzha. 67 bodies were identified. More
dead bodies were found on 28th December and number of missing persons was
increasing. The people protested
against the Chief Minister and other political leaders. The areas severely
affected by Tsunami had no sea wall. Many houses and fishing equipments were
destroyed in southern parts of the Aalapuzha district.
The Government and local authorities
offered only Rs. 5000 and one-month ration provided to the relatives of the
deceased. Social activists and other organizations were inspired and motivated
the members to do the relief work.
It is estimated that around 30
people died in Alappuzha district. Weather Observation Centre failed to give
timely warning to the mass. The inadequacy of the modern equipments and
technology for forecasting the tsunami, were the main drawbacks of the weather
related centers. This has lead to increase in the number of deaths. After the
first attack of the tsunami, the sea withdrew 2 to 3 kilometres back; during
this time also the Government officials did not alert the people. The fishermen
who entered deeper into the sea to collect fish and shells were brutally
victimized by the second tsunami waves that were more severe than the first
one.
The seashore were covered with
decayed fish, dead bodies of animals other sea beings which had started to
decaying and emanating foul smell. The lack of drinking water was another
problem. There was a danger for the outbreak of epidemics. It is already
reported that some diseases like diarrhoea started in some relief camps. Health
care programmes have therefore become necessary.
Our important Observations and
suggestions
1. The tsunami hit at Chennai- in
Tamil Nadu was at 6.30 am, but the first tsunami wave reached in Kerala was
only after 11.30 am. Within these 4
hours, nobody reported it to the government or any other fisheries agency to
alert the people. They could have done timely announcement of the early warning
to the people near the sea shore, through mikes already existing in the
Churches, Temples, Mosques and other social institution likes clubs, fishermen
societies etc.
2. Relief camps are working very
well, in each and every camp there is a Relief camp committee working with the
people’s representatives and Government officials, but the problems still exist
with rehabilitation.
3. The state and Central Governments
had differing stands on tackling tsunami issues. Meanwhile NGO's and VO's were
working in other directions. In India, we have no clear policy on disaster
management. This will lead to the same experience gained in Gujarat earthquake
and Orissa cyclone.
4. Most of the houses built by Mata
Amrithanda Mayee under the project "Amritha kudeeram" were completely
destroyed. The disaster also gave the religious fundamentalist groups an
opportunity to raise more money from abroad to serve their communal vested interest.
5. The shore protected sea walls and
seashore roads were completely destroyed by the tsunami waves.
6. The news about the coming of
tsunami was being repeatedly aired near the seashore creating panic and fear
among the people. Still no communication facilities have been created by the
government agencies to pass on relevant information and announcements.
7. The well-constructed houses and
buildings were not destroyed but the small houses and huts were completely
destroyed. The life and livelihood of the poor people of the seashore was
completely swept away. And the government did not pay much attention to the
issues of the low-income groups, dalits and fisher folk.
The tsunami waves of destruction hit
Kerala severely; the victims lost everything. Help from India and the
international community is inevitable for the re-construction of the torn
country. INSAF should act as a watchdog on the relief activities and the
proposed disaster management committee and Policy.
The INSAF team was led by Jose M.J.
(NEC), K.N.Sasi (Covenor) and state youth leaders. The local arrangements were
done by Mr.A.X.Hershall (T.D.V.S.)
Kerala State Women’s Convention and
Women’s Day Celebrations
Held at Muhamma on 7th and 8th March
2005 in Alapuzha District.
With the increase in the number of
sex scandals in Kerala and women’s right being the most important agenda of
INSAF, the Kerala unit organized a women’s gender sensitisation. There were 63 full time delegates who
participated from 10 districts. There were also many others (from member and
local organisations) who visited the workshop.
Mrs. Leelamma Thomas, member of
Kerala State Committee member inaugurated the meeting. Mrs. K.L. Priya from SEED, S.L. Puram and
Miss K.J. Enayammal, members of Kerala Stree Vehi State Committee inaugurated
the Convention. A rally of over 500 women participated shouting slogans against
the state government and the actions of the High Court towards women in the
context of the notorious Suryanelli Sex Scandal case, where the district court
had sentenced the culprits for lifetime imprisonment but the Kerala High Court
released all the accused except one.
The rally was followed by a Public Meeting in the SNDP Hall. Mr. M.J.
Jose delivered a talk on the INSAF theme “Resist Globalisation, Combat
Communalism and Defend Democracy” with its concern for women empowerment. The women’s issues were listed on top
priority and on the basis of their experiences. The participants were given
instructions and guidelines on gender strategy. Mr. Jose described the
difference between gender and women issues.
On the second day, sharing of local
experiences was done by the participants.
The sharing was summarised and most of the problems identified were
related to atrocities, immoral trafficking, women’s unemployment and violation
of human rights etc.
The next session on Women and Legal
Protection was moderated by Mrs. K. Prasanna. Advocate M. Saraswathy from
Kollam Bar presented the paper on the theme.
She quoted important clauses and sections on various laws pertaining to
women. There was a fruitful discussion
and several questions responded by the speaker. This session proved to be very
informative.
A resolution on the issue of
Suryanelli case was unanimously approved by the participants of the
convention. It was decided that cash
should be collected and other support to be provided to help the victim and her
parents to appeal in the Supreme Court.
In the last session Mrs. K. Prasanna
presented a written declaration made by the core group and it was accepted by
the floor. The Convention concluded by a suggestion put before INSAF by the
participants to publish a paper on gender strategy and make it available to all
local women workers; and to call national and zonal level women’s convention under
the auspices of INSAF.
4. TAMIL NADU
Right to Water is a basic Human
Right
Madurai (28th Feb. 2005)
The participating organisations were
SIDT, PARD, SWED, MAGRES, ARASU, PACT, SEEDS TRUST, ARISE, OMMI, JEEVAN TRUST,
JEEVA DEEPAM TRUST and GVMI. There were
34 participants. As a follow up of the
decision of the State Committee, which met in Chennai on 5 Feb. 2005, this
seminar was organised in Madurai, covering the member organizations of that
part of the State. State Committee
members and NEC members attended it.
Ms. Shiamala Baby, the Convenor in
her introductory speech talked about the three pillars of INSAF and the
collective way in which INSAF is involved in creating a just world. She introduced the theme in the context of
today’s pressing issue of Globalization – the privatization of water and the
struggles of the marginalized for water.
Mr. T. Fatimson, state convenor for the campaign for Right to Livelihood
and Food Security, was the resource person. His presentation provoked the
participants to initiate actions of intervention.
In his presentation, he oriented the
participants on the issues of privatization, which is controlled by the
multi-national companies with the objective of profit. He explained about the destructive nexus of
the three important world organisations – World Bank, World Trade Organization
and International Monetary Fund, which is controlled by the G8 countries. He quoted “If there is another world war, it
would be on Water only”. Thus water has
become a socio-economic problem of the world.
He pointed out that
(a) In 2025 India’s population would
be 115 crores but water available will not be sufficient to fulfil even the
drinking need of the entire population.
(b) India is predominantly an
agricultural country and the land is based on water for cultivation.
(c) Water is essentially needed for
cattle.
Thus water is the basic sustaining
factor of life. As per another
statistics, in 2015 out of the essential need of 100 litres of water only 40
litres of water would be available. The
scientists predict that the rain would be scarce in the context of atmosphere
pollution and its impact on the ozone layer.
The ocean, which previously absorbed the pollution to keep the
atmosphere clean is now losing its power and becoming toxic.
While mentioning about the world
summit on water held in Netherlands in 2002, he pointed out about the charter
released on water during that summit - Water Vision 2000. He said that of the 600 crores people of the
world, 400 crore people would be affected.
In was pointed out in the charter “World Vision 2000” that in the given
context, water is a real treasure and that it should be spent in a responsible
way. It cannot be taken for granted,
but should be considered as a commodity or product. In order to govern it, the Governments should work along with the
multi-national companies. In this
connection, multi-national companies like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Vivendi, Suez,
Sivan Trend, Sour, Bestel, Mensando etc, have come to the picture to do the
business of water.
Thus a new culture and value has
been created to advertise and promote bottled water products. Kadamathur in Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu and
Plachimada in Kerala are places where water resources are exploited by the multinational
companies, resulting in various polluted water related diseases among the poor
villagers. Local people raised voices
and agitations against the privatization of their natural resources, but they
often get silenced in a strong way by the government and the dominant forces.
After the insight put forward, the
participants were motivated to share their experiences in the struggles for
water in their local areas. Lyappan
said that in Dindigul, the landowners sell water from their wells to
tankers. They justify their act by
telling that agriculture is no more a profitable profession and hence they have
to opt for it.
In the afternoon session, the floor
was put for group discussion on the following topics:
(a) Identifying the existing issues
on water
(b) Strategies of intervention.
The groups came out with their
understanding about the existing issues and the strategies like:
(a) Safeguarding rain water
(b) Usage of alternative irrigation
system like drip water etc.
(c) Creating awareness on the
destructive efforts of the multinational companies on water business
(d) Conducting demonstrations and
related activities to establish people’s governance with water.
The Convenor motivated the
participants to move further and to take up the campaign on the issues of water
with united strength and solidarity. In
this way, it was decided to take out demonstrations on water resources where
MNC’s are active.
Another awareness seminar took place
in Thiruvannamalai district on 14th March 2005. There were 44 participants
representing different areas of the Thiruannamalai district. In Shivagangai near Madurai, the sale of
river water to MNC has created agitation among the locals. In Plachimada, Kerala the untreated
effluence of the factories polluted underground water. In this context, Tamil Nadu INSAF members
decided to take up the issue of water as a campaign. During this campaign, orienting and sensitising people to the
present reality is crucial, as common people though affected are not sensitive
to this issue. As follow-up, people’s committee would be formed in all the
rural areas to monitor the misuse and privatisation of natural resources like
sand, water and land.
On 5th April a one-day seminar for
the campaign on “Right to Water is a basic Human Right” was taken up in
Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district. 10
peoples organisation took part in this campaign. During the group discussion
they were motivated to identify one issue of water, being experienced by them
and to come out with an action plan to combat it. The four groups came out with
the issues of water under different forms.
The group unanimously decided to
agree to take up the issue of Pazhayar, which runs to a total length of 44
km. Pazhayar is the life-giving river
for the whole of Kanyakumari district and caters to the needs of farmers
belonging to 16,550 acres. It started getting polluted after the municipal
administration allowed sewage of entire town to mingle with the Pazhayar. In
order to implement the programme a working committee was formed and members of
the committee were to execute preparatory work like collecting data,
information and mobilise like-minded individuals to take up the campaign in a
meaningful way. A march was also decided to be taken up from Keelamanakudi to
Keeriparal educating the people on the issue of water as well as preservation
of water bodies.
People’s Action Week
The common poster of Peoples’ Action
Week 2004, in English sent by INSAF, National Secretariat office, was published
in Tamil. In addition, handbills were prepared
and printed, highlighting the importance of this week in Tamil. These materials
were distributed, well in advance before observing the Peoples’ Action Week.
The posters and handbills were
distributed for spreading awareness to the general masses and mailed to:
1
All the educational institutions, religious institutions, government
offices.
2
Tamil Nadu State political leaders.
3
The members of INSAF Tamil Nadu.
4
Social action groups, NGOs, Peoples’ action group etc in Tamil Nadu.
On 3 December 2004, a one-day
Seminar was conducted in Thirukazhukuntram.
Around 280 women came together and they were motivated to think about
the impact of Globalization in their day-to-day family and community life. Related questions were used to facilitate
their thinking process and identify the various issues of Globalization. 10
groups were formed for group discussions.
The end result was encouraging as they confessed that many things; so
far, they took it for granted but now they realised. For instance (a) the issue
of water – in the present day context, they are to buy water for drinking (b)
mushrooming of MNC’s in aquaculture, car companies and industrial centers
polluting their ground water, land and air. (c) Destruction of their
traditional economical activities such as weaving, mat making, pottery, and
blacksmith.
In this final session, the women
were motivated to resist globalization, wherever possible, even in their small
way. Starting from there, they were motivated to resist the issue of globalization
in a collective way indicating their solidarity with the people’s and women
organisations and other like-minded individuals.
On 6th of December,
street corner programmes were organized in many parts of Tamil Nadu. Handbills explaining the objective were
distributed to the public. These
handbills could reach women and men in many parts of Tamil Nadu. The activities were taken up by many of the
member organisations. The street corner
programmes reached to over fifteen thousand people.
The culmination of Peoples’ Action
Week programme took place, with Human Rights Day programme on 10 December
2004. The venue was Tambaram, Chennai.
Dalit women, young girls, college
students, school students, representatives from film world, professors, labour
union leaders, local leaders and general public. Women and young girls alone
accounted to around three hundred and eighty apart from others.
The programme started with a human
chain. Prof. Sumanti flagged off the
human chain. In her opening speech she mentioned about the context of today’s
world with regard to growing violence and disharmony ending up in the human
rights violation of women, children and the deprived majority. She invited all like-minded people to form
groups of resistance towards such life threatening situations and to come out
with affirmation of Life. During the
formation of the human chain, the State Convenor spoke about the issues of
globalization, the value shift from sustainability of life to the destructive
forms of life, the impact of privatization denying life to the ‘majority’ but
affirming life to the ‘minority.’ She challenged the audience and the public to
sharpen their right form of thinking and come out with integrated action plan
for the creation of just world free from oppression, where everyone could enjoy
the fruits of human right and human dignity.
The human chain was followed by a
rally of the gathering. The rally was
started by the General Secretary of INSAF.
In his address, he mentioned about the thrust of INSAF and the need of
the hour to register our resistance in a collective way, wherever it is
needed.
The rally crossed all the main
streets of the city. On the way, it held street corner meetings in all the main
areas. Slogans were raised to make the
public aware of the objectives of the rally.
Handbills and Peoples’ Action Week
posters were distributed to the public, through out this public programme. The
rally ended with a public meeting. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Ramakrish
Shastri a renowned journalist and non violence advocate from the ‘Universal
Non-violence Mission’, Mr. S. Sagadevan, Assistant Director in the film
industry, Mr. Thiruvnavakkarasu, a journalist and Human Right Activist and R.K.
Selvanayagam a social activist. They pledged their wholehearted support and
solidarity to our demands (resolutions).
During this Human Rights Day, 2004
the human rights of sexually marginalized persons (transvestite) got
highlighted. 20 sexually marginalized persons participated in the entire
programme.
The following resolutions were
adopted and submitted to the State Government of Tamil Nadu:
I. Sexually marginalised
1.
Reservations in bus/ train should be made, for the sexually marginalized
persons, as it is in the case of physically challenged people.
2.
Reservation in job should be made for them.
3.
Eve-teasing of eunuchs should be made punishable by law.
4.
Adoption of Child rights should be made legal for eunuchs.
II. Dalit Students
Adi-Dravida (Dalit Students) Hostels
run by the Government of Tamil Nadu are poorly maintained. The Dalit students, staying and studying
there are deprived of their human right.
The government should maintain basic amenities, clean atmosphere, and
provide nutritious food to the inmates of Adi Dravida students Hostel.
III. School going children of Dalit
Community
The school children from Dalit
community demonstrated for their right and their resolutions were:
1.
Liberate education from Commercialisation.
2.
Make quality education a mandate.
There were also cultural
presentations by children, women and eunuchs.
Outcome:
Life has become too busy and
mechanical. In this context, the
tendency of the majority is to overlook the real issues. They tend to take things for granted. In this context these programmes had made an
impact in the minds of the watching public and the participants. The level of
conscience had been raised in identifying the different issues of
globalization, communalism and human rights.
The policy makers are pressurised to safeguard the human rights of the
marginalised and oppressed sections of people in Tamil Nadu.
5. UTTAR PRADESH
A meeting on the Secular agenda was
attended and facilitated by Manoj Singh, Narendra and Utkarsh (members of INSAF
state committee) in Kushinagar district organized by Bhagat Singh Vichar Manch.
Kushinagar district is very sensitive in the present days because of the
activities of Hindu Yuva Vahini. This
meeting was also a preparatory for the proposed Convention at Gorakhpur on
Secularism.
Water scarcity is a big problem for
the Bundelkhand region. A meeting was organized by Akhil Rahat Manch (a CBO) in
Jhansi in October. INSAF State Convenor
attended this meeting and was able to relate this issue with privatization of
water.
Vatsala Jan Parishad in Ghosi (Mau
district) organized a meeting on starvation deaths and failures of PDS. State Committee member Mr. Lalan Loniya
facilitated this meeting. More than 50
representatives of different NGOs and CBOs attended this meeting.
A preparatory meeting for the
Convention on debt was held in Lucknow during which a committee was formed for
the facilitation of that Convention.
A news brief service has been
started by the SSO on the basis of the newspaper cuttings.
In the month of October a bill
proposed by the State Govt. of U.P. regarding two-child norm was passed in
Panchayat election. INSAF took
initiative and in consultation with organisations working with women rights and
health issues in Lucknow published information brochure for mass circulation.
On March 05, an event “Rin Mukti
Abhiyan” was organised in Lucknow with the objective of providing justice to
those indebted and to create awareness among the people regarding the different
forms of loans and its tragedies.
Discussion on the different dimensions, market, constitution, policy,
law related with loan was taken up.
Awareness among the public regarding “International Loan” how it can be
made acceptable and accountable to public and how the repayment of the loan is
done so as to make public aware and how they can be mobilized for this.
On 6th of March in Lucknow
University a meeting on “Globalisation, Youth and Democracy” was organised
jointly by INSAF, IRDS and Youth Club of U.P. The main speakers were social
activist Sandeep Pandey who strongly protested against MNCs, Chhitaranjan Singh
of PUCL, Professor of Delhi University Achin Vanaik and other prominent
personalities from different sectors also spoke on the topic. Youth from Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and
Uttar Pradesh also participated. INSAF President Mr. Anil Chaudhary explained
these three issues in a very practical way to the participants. The youth of today are being targeted by the
MNCs for their profits but the youth are not being able to exercise their
rights.
On 8th of March a meeting was
organised on “Globalization and Women Farmers.” Women associated with various
women organisations participated. They
expressed their views on the existing women status. To make this event successful INSAF U.P members and the state
convenor actively participated.
On 12 March, a meeting on
“Challenges in Democracy in South Asia – On the context of Nepal” was organised
by INSAF and its state committee organisation People’s Forum Gorakhpur. The
main speaker of this event was eminent journalist Mr. Anand Swaroop Verma who
spoke on the recent political situation in Nepal, the question of democracy in
Nepal is related with democracy itself. Mr. Chhitaranjan Singh, INSAF NEC
member and human rights activist chaired the session. The leading newspapers
covered this event well.
6. RAJASTHAN
A meeting of the movement against
Child Labour on 27th Oct. 04 was held in Alwar where INSAF and its other member
organisation also participated. In this
meeting the question of education rights of the girl child (a programme of
utmost importance) was the focus. In
this programme the education of girls between the age group of 6-14 was
discussed, most of these girls are unable to study from class 6 to 8 due to
unavailability of educational facilities. It is a known fact that the state has
only 8 percent of schools reserved for imparting education to girls in this age
group. On child labour, agitations were
planned in 100 panchayats.
INSAF’s state committee members of
Alwar and Bharatpur were active in the Municipal Board elections. In Alwar they
jointly formed “Alwar Vikas Morcha” which would appoints its representative for
the election. In Bharatpur, a prominent
member of the state committee stood for the election. In both these districts they were of the opinion that in this
election the representative should be a suitable person who could be able to
make decisions on policy-making procedures.
For the Regional cultural exchange
programme, the Gujarat cultural team “Samvedan Cultural Programme” performed
the play titled “Gujarat 2004” on the
communal carnage, which took place in Gujarat in Alwar on 29-30 Nov and 1st
Dec.2004. The play depicted what
happened after the carnage and what is the present situation in Gujarat. The unique feature regarding this play
performed using Augusto Boal technique is that the audience takes part in the
play and changes the story and the situation given the circumstances. In Alwar the play was performed in seven
places, in 5 rural areas and 2 urban areas.
In Mewat region the Hindutva
fundamentalists are trying to incite communalism on the issue of “cow
slaughter”. Mewat region has been
symbolized as the bastion against “cow slaughter.” In this region the criminal
charges were withdrawn against the person responsible for flaring of
communalism, BJP leader Mr.Gyandev Ahuja.
INSAF investigated and initiated the process of reopening the lawsuit
filed against him. This has led to the issue of arrest warrant of Mr. Ahuja and
the court dismissed the government’s decision of withdrawing the lawsuit filed.
On 21st December, INSAF
participated in the public hearing organised by MMSVS and Alwar Vikas Morcha by
the newly elected councillors on the issues of the poor section of the society
including rickshaw pullers, vendors, rag pickers and construction workers. They
wanted the agenda of the poor to be included in the plan of action of the
councillors.
On 8th March, “Womens’
Day” was commemorated by INSAF Rajasthan in a programme where participants were
mainly from villages and there were speeches and talk on women’s empowerment.
On 11th March a workshop
of MLA’s was organised by Rajasthan Budget Study Centre (Budget Adhyan Kendra)
and INSAF also participated in this workshop.
On 12th March Dr. Ved
Kumari Nav Nirman Trust organised a Youth Convention, which was addressed by
eminent editor of Samantar Mr. Pankaj Bhist and other writers, and
activists. On the occasion of the 69th
birth anniversary of Dr. Ved Kumari,
Mewat Vikas Siksha Samiti organised a meeting attended by media editors,
journalists and organisations like Bandhua Mukti Morcha.
23rd March was observed
as Shahid Bhagat Singh’s Martyr’s Day. Cultural programmes and a public meeting
was addressed by Rajaram Bhandu of Samantar Jaipur and Dr. Virendra Vidrohi of
INSAF, Rajasthan.
On 24th March various
organisations of the state staged a demonstration in front of Rajasthan Vidhan
Sabha against the liquor policy. On the same day, under the guidance of INSAF
NEC member Molana Hanif a demonstration was organised against the state’s
communal policy and a memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister against Police
Administration’s communal outlook.
People’s Action Week