An Architect of Conscience
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ENGLISH NEWSPAPER-AHMEDABAD) Dt: 15/09/2003
THE TIMES OF INDIA (ENGLISH NEWSPAPER-AHMEDABAD) Dt: 15/09/2003. 240 Pota cases, all against minorities By Leena Misra Times News Network Ahmedabad: Chand Usman Khan who was brought here from Jammu and Kashmir on Friday will be the latest accused to be added to the Pota inventory of the Narendra Modi government which already figures heavy-weights from the underworld like Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel and Sharif Khan. Although Gujarat still faces some competition when compared to the huge list of accused booked under Pota in states like Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu, it might perhaps be the only state where all the 240-odd persons booked under Pota are from the minority community. The only non-Muslim in the list is a Sikh, Liversingh Tej Singh, Liversingh Tej Singh Sikligar, who figured in it for an attempt on the life of Surat lawyer Hasmukh Lalwala, and allegedly hung himself in a police lock-up in Surat in April. Pota has been invoked in 11 cases in the state including, the Godhra carnage, the Akshardham massacre and the Haren Pandya murder which was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Among the 241 booked under the terror law, are some 20-odd accused booked under this law in three cases - the overarching conspiracy case booked by Ahmedabad’s detection of crime branch and the Haren Pandya and the Jagdish Tiwari case which were chargesheeted together. But some top police officers and human rights activists felt that Pota was being used indiscriminately, the biggest irony being that till date the Anti-Terrorist Squad has not booked a single case of Pota. -
Hindutva and Anti-Muslim Communal Violence in India Under the Bharatiya Janata Party (1990-2010) Elaisha Nandrajog Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont Colleges Scholarship @ Claremont CMC Senior Theses CMC Student Scholarship 2010 Hindutva and Anti-Muslim Communal Violence in India Under the Bharatiya Janata Party (1990-2010) Elaisha Nandrajog Claremont McKenna College Recommended Citation Nandrajog, Elaisha, "Hindutva and Anti-Muslim Communal Violence in India Under the Bharatiya Janata Party (1990-2010)" (2010). CMC Senior Theses. Paper 219. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/219 This Open Access Senior Thesis is brought to you by Scholarship@Claremont. It has been accepted for inclusion in this collection by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CLAREMONT McKENNA COLLEGE HINDUTVA AND ANTI-MUSLIM COMMUNAL VIOLENCE IN INDIA UNDER THE BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (1990-2010) SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR RODERIC CAMP AND PROFESSOR GASTÓN ESPINOSA AND DEAN GREGORY HESS BY ELAISHA NANDRAJOG FOR SENIOR THESIS (Spring 2010) APRIL 26, 2010 2 CONTENTS Preface 02 List of Abbreviations 03 Timeline 04 Introduction 07 Chapter 1 13 Origins of Hindutva Chapter 2 41 Setting the Stage: Precursors to the Bharatiya Janata Party Chapter 3 60 Bharat : The India of the Bharatiya Janata Party Chapter 4 97 Mosque or Temple? The Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi Dispute Chapter 5 122 Modi and his Muslims: The Gujarat Carnage Chapter 6 151 Legalizing Communalism: Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (2002) Conclusion 166 Appendix 180 Glossary 185 Bibliography 188 3 PREFACE This thesis assesses the manner in which India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the political face of Hindutva, or Hindu ethno-cultural nationalism. The insights of scholars like Christophe Jaffrelot, Ashish Nandy, Thomas Blom Hansen, Ram Puniyani, Badri Narayan, and Chetan Bhatt have been instrumental in furthering my understanding of the manifold elements of Hindutva ideology. -
Compounding Injustice: India
INDIA 350 Fifth Ave 34 th Floor New York, N.Y. 10118-3299 http://www.hrw.org (212) 290-4700 Vol. 15, No. 3 (C) – July 2003 Afsara, a Muslim woman in her forties, clutches a photo of family members killed in the February-March 2002 communal violence in Gujarat. Five of her close family members were murdered, including her daughter. Afsara’s two remaining children survived but suffered serious burn injuries. Afsara filed a complaint with the police but believes that the police released those that she identified, along with many others. Like thousands of others in Gujarat she has little faith in getting justice and has few resources with which to rebuild her life. ©2003 Smita Narula/Human Rights Watch COMPOUNDING INJUSTICE: THE GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO REDRESS MASSACRES IN GUJARAT 1630 Connecticut Ave, N.W., Suite 500 2nd Floor, 2-12 Pentonville Road 15 Rue Van Campenhout Washington, DC 20009 London N1 9HF, UK 1000 Brussels, Belgium TEL (202) 612-4321 TEL: (44 20) 7713 1995 TEL (32 2) 732-2009 FAX (202) 612-4333 FAX: (44 20) 7713 1800 FAX (32 2) 732-0471 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] July 2003 Vol. 15, No. 3 (C) COMPOUNDING INJUSTICE: The Government's Failure to Redress Massacres in Gujarat Table of Contents I. Summary............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Impunity for Attacks Against Muslims............................................................................................................... -
Three Years Later, When Cell Phones Ring
Best Breaking News THREE YEARS LATER, WHEN CELL PHONES RING Who spoke to whom, when Gujarat was burning Two CDs with more than 5 lakh entries have been lying with the Gujarat ** Using cellphone tower locations, the data also gives information on the police and are now with the Nanavati-Shah riots panel. These have records physical location of the caller and the person at the other end. of all cellphone calls made in Ahmedabad over the first five days of the riots which saw the worst massacres. PART ONE Two compact discs could change that. For, they contain records of all Tracking VHP’s gen secy on day 1,2 (published 21 November 2004) cellphone calls made in Ahmedabad from February 25, 2002, two days Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s General Secretary in Gujarat is a pathologist called before the horrific Sabarmati Express attack to March 4, five days that saw Jaideep Patel. He was booked for rioting and arson in the Naroda Patiya the worst communal violence in recent history. massacre, the worst post-Godhra riot incident in which 83 were killed, many of them burnt alive. The police closed the case saying there was not This staggering amount of data - there are more than 5 lakh entries - was enough evidence. Records show that Patel, who lives in Naroda, was there investigated over several weeks by this newspaper. They show that Patel when the massacre began, then left for Bapunagar which also witnessed was in touch with the key riot accused, top police officers, including the killings and returned to Naroda. -
Breathing Life Into the Constitution
Breathing Life into the Constitution Human Rights Lawyering In India Arvind Narrain | Saumya Uma Alternative Law Forum Bengaluru Breathing Life into the Constitution Human Rights Lawyering In India Arvind Narrain | Saumya Uma Alternative Law Forum Bengaluru Breathing Life into the Constitution Human Rights Lawyering in India Arvind Narrain | Saumya Uma Edition: January 2017 Published by: Alternative Law Forum 122/4 Infantry Road, Bengaluru - 560001. Karnataka, India. Design by: Vinay C About the Authors: Arvind Narrain is a founding member of the Alternative Law Forum in Bangalore, a collective of lawyers who work on a critical practise of law. He has worked on human rights issues including mass crimes, communal conflict, LGBT rights and human rights history. Saumya Uma has 22 years’ experience as a lawyer, law researcher, writer, campaigner, trainer and activist on gender, law and human rights. Cover page images copied from multiple news articles. All copyrights acknowledged. Any part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted as necessary. The authors only assert the right to be identified wtih the reproduced version. “I am not a religious person but the only sin I believe in is the sin of cynicism.” Parvez Imroz, Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Coalition (JKCSS), on being told that nothing would change with respect to the human rights situation in Kashmir Dedication This book is dedicated to remembering the courageous work of human rights lawyers, Jalil Andrabi (1954-1996), Shahid Azmi (1977-2010), K. Balagopal (1952-2009), K.G. Kannabiran (1929-2010), Gobinda Mukhoty (1927-1995), T. Purushotham – (killed in 2000), Japa Lakshma Reddy (killed in 1992), P.A. -
The Ecology of Ethnic Violence: Attacks on Muslims of Ahmedabad in 2002
Qual Sociol (2016) 39:71–95 DOI 10.1007/s11133-015-9320-5 The Ecology of Ethnic Violence: Attacks on Muslims of Ahmedabad in 2002 Raheel Dhattiwala 1 Published online: 28 December 2015 # Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015 Abstract Ethnic violence killed at least a thousand Muslims in Gujarat (western India) in 2002. The role of political elites in orchestrating attacks against Muslims for electoral gains was a conspicuous characteristic of the violence. Yet, as this article demonstrates, the political thesis was insufficient in explaining why neighborhoods, often contiguous, experienced different levels of violence. Alternative explanations, such as interethnic contact, were also found wanting. A unique research design allowing the comparison of neighborhoods in the same electoral ward in the city of Ahmedabad demonstrates the critical role of ecology in explaining microspatial variation in the violence. Even when attacks were politically orches- trated, attackers still acted with some regard to self-preservation in selecting which location to attack. Observational and testimonial evidence based on 22 months of ethnographic fieldwork reveals the importance of two ecological factors: the built environment and the population distribution of potential targets. Together, the two factors heavily shaped crowds’ decisions to attack or escape, thus influencing the subsequent success or failure of the attack. Muslims were most vulnerable where they were concentrated in small numbers and on routes that afforded the attackers obstacle-free entry and retreat. Where the potential targets had an obstacle-free escape route to a large concentration of fellow Muslims, the outcome was looting and arson rather than killing. By implication, the course of politically orchestrated violence was com- plicated by the ecology of the targeted space. -
Müller Indien Ganz Rechts 2014 04 29
1 DEUTSCHLANDFUNK Sendung: Hörspiel/Hintergrund Kultur Dienstag, 29.04.2014 Redaktion: Karin Beindorff 19.15 – 20.00 Uhr Indien ganz rechts Die Karriere des Hindunationalisten Narendra Modi Von Dominik Müller URHEBERRECHTLICHER HINWEIS Dieses Manuskript ist urheberrechtlich geschützt und darf vom Empfänger ausschließlich zu rein privaten Zwecken genutzt werden. Jede Vervielfältigung, Verbreitung oder sonstige Nutzung, die über den in §§ 45 bis 63 Urheberrechtsgesetz geregelten Umfang hinausgeht, ist unzulässig. Deutschlandradio - Unkorrigiertes Manuskript - 1 2 O-Ton Anand Sharma, Wirtschaftsminister Would you insult at hundreds of million of voters in India? .... Respect democracy, respect our country! Sprecher 1 Würden Sie hunderte Millionen Wähler in Indien beleidigen? Würden Sie ihnen vorschreiben, wie sie zu entscheiden haben? Schreiben wir anderen Ländern vor, wie ihre Wähler abstimmen sollen? Respektieren Sie die Demokratie, respektieren Sie unser Land! Atmo Nachrichten CNN-IBN Erzähler Anand Sharma, der amtierende indische Wirtschaftsminister, ärgerte sich, als die US-Bank Goldman Sachs Anfang November 2013 eine Prognose über die Entwicklung der Wirtschaft in Indien veröffentlichte. Schon der Titel „Modi-fying our view“ war eine wenig subtile Wahlempfehlung für den Spitzenkandidaten der größten Oppositionspartei: Narendra Modi von der BJP, der Bharatiya Janata Party, der Indischen Volkspartei. Die mächtige US-Bank machte Stimmung: Sprecher: (Modi ist) ein Agent des Wandels, der Indien von einem Leichtgewicht zu einem Marktschwergewicht -
Accountability for Mass Violence Examining the State’S Record
Accountability for mass violence Examining the State’s record By Surabhi Chopra Pritarani Jha Anubha Rastogi Rekha Koli Suroor Mander Harsh Mander Centre for Equity Studies New Delhi May 2012 Preface Contemporary India has a troubled history of sporadic blood-letting in gruesome episodes of mass violence which targets men, women and sometimes children because of their religious identity. The Indian Constitution unequivocally guarantees equal legal rights, equal protection and security to religious minorities. However, the Indian State’s record of actually upholding the assurances in the secular democratic Constitution has been mixed. This study tries to map, understand and evaluate how effectively the State in free India has secured justice for victims of mass communal violence. It does so by relying primarily on the State’s own records relating to four major episodes of mass communal violence, using the powerful democratic instrument of the Right to Information Act 2005. In this way, it tries to hold up the mirror to governments, public authorities and institutions, to human rights workers and to survivors themselves. Since Independence, India has seen scores of group attacks on people targeted because of their religious identity1. Such violence is described in South Asia as communal violence. While there is insufficient rigorous research on numbers of people killed in religious massacres, one estimate suggests that 25,628 lives have been lost (including 1005 in police firings)2. The media has regularly reported on this violence, citizens’ groups have documented grave abuses and State complicity in violence, and government-appointed commissions of inquiry have gathered extensive evidence on it from victims, perpetrators and officials. -
INDIA the Constitution and Other Laws and Policies Protect Religious Freedom And, in Practice, the Government Generally Respecte
INDIA The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally respected religious freedom; however, some state-level laws and policies restricted this freedom. India is a secular republic, with all religions offered equality under the law. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the government during the reporting period. Some state governments enforced existing "anticonversion" laws, and some local police and enforcement agencies in certain instances were not swift to counter communal attacks, including attacks against religious minorities. The country is the birthplace of several religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and home for thousands of years to Jewish, Zoroastrian, Muslim, and Christian communities. The vast majority of citizens of all religious groups lived in peaceful coexistence and were conscious of religious freedom and minority rights; however, at times, violence between religious groups and organized communal attacks against religious minorities occurred during the reporting period. The Ministry of Home Affairs published in its Annual Report 2009-10 that 826 communal incidents occurred in 2009, in which 125 persons died, compared to 943 incidents in 2008 in which 167 persons died. State governments also reported communal incidents. The country's democratic system, open society, independent legal institutions, vibrant civil society, and free press actively provided mechanisms to address violations of religious freedom when they occurred. The U.S. government discusses religious freedom with the government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights. During meetings with senior government officials, as well as state and local officials, and religious community leaders, senior U.S. -
Coping with Injustice with Coping
Perspectives of victims of Hindu-Muslim violence in Gujarat, India GERBEN DE WITTE COPING WITH INJUSTICE Photo front page: Amit Dave / Reuters Perspectives of victims of Hindu-Muslim violence in Gujarat, India MSc thesis GERBEN DE WITTE October 2013 Registration number 880406-967-050 Study programme MSc International Development Studies Specialization Communication, Technology and Policy Chair group Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Thesis code TAD-80433 Supervisor dr. ir. Kees Jansen COPING WITH INJUSTICE Abstract This thesis presents the perspectives of riot victims on the justice process after the 2002 riots in Gujarat, a state in western India. These riots, organized by Hindu right-wing forces with complicity of the state government, were mainly one-sided attacks on Muslims. The justice process after the riots has been protracted: judicial systems have failed to bring justice, and Muslims have experienced increasing discrimination and segregation. This study – based on interviews and observations in Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city – looks at the way Muslim riot victims deal with this situation of injustice, and what their perspective on the concept of justice is. Findings suggest that riot victims often associate the concept of justice with rectificatory justice. Although they are aware of other types of justice that might be relevant to them, they have only pursued justice through the judicial system. This has a lot to do with their limited ability to pursue justice, due to the circumstances they live in. Being dependent on the Hindu majority for their position in society, Muslims fear that pursuing justice might negatively affect their living situation. Additionally, they often experience other pressing issues that need their attention, and therefore pursuing justice is not their main priority. -
Affiliations of Faith: Joined at the Hip Part 2 of the CAG Spotlight Series on the Hindu American Foundation
Spotlight Series Report Affiliations of Faith: Joined at the hip Part 2 of the CAG Spotlight Series on the Hindu American Foundation This Spotlight Series report documents the Hindu American Foundation as an instance of the latest round of the Sangh’s expansion in the U.S. This report ‘Affiliations of Faith – 2’ is occasioned by a “response” from the HAF to the original report – what will henceforth be referred to as ‘Affiliations of Faith – 1’. The HAF response is in part sheer unsubstantiated assertion that they are not part of the Global Sangh, and in part characterizations of some CAG members as Marxists or Islamists – basically red baiting and Islam baiting while ignoring the presence of Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, atheists and others in CAG. Overall, however, we are encouraged by HAF's response and we will keep the engagement going so as to illuminate the issue of how the HAF is indeed an extension of the Global Sangh. The disappointing part of the HAF response is that they have failed to engage the substantive claims and the evidence we have presented. We showed, for instance, explicit institutional linkages into the Global Sangh within the HAF leadership and we showed the ideological affinity of the HAF to Sangh ideology on caste. It would have been interesting if the HAF had proven that Mihir Meghani was not a member of the VHP-A’s Governing Council. It would have been interesting if the response had shown that the HAF was not born at the intersection of the Hindu Students Council (HSC) – itself a project of the VHP-A (see Unmistakably Sangh)1, the CAN (Community Action Network) project that was Mihir Meghani's brainchild, and the VHP-A's Governing Council. -
Report on International Religious Freedom 2009: India
India Page 1 of 19 India BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR International Religious Freedom Report 2009 October 26, 2009 The Constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, some state level laws and policies restricted this freedom. The National Government generally respected religious freedom in practice; however, some state and local governments imposed limits on this freedom. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the National Government during the reporting period; however, problems remained in some areas. Some state governments enacted and amended "anticonversion" laws, and police and enforcement agencies often did not act swiftly to counter communal attacks effectively, including attacks against religious minorities. India is the birthplace of several religions--Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism--and the home for more than a thousand years of Jewish, Zoroastrian, Muslim, and Christian communities. The vast majority of Indians of all religious groups lived in peaceful coexistence; however, there were some organized communal attacks against minority religious groups. The country's democratic system, open society, independent legal institutions, vibrant civil society, and freewheeling press all provide mechanisms to address violations of religious freedom when they occur. Violence erupted in August 2008 in Orissa after individuals affiliated with left-wing Maoist extremists killed a Hindu religious leader in Kandhamal, the country's poorest district. According to government statistics, 40 persons died and 134 were injured. Although most victims were Christians, the underlying causes that led to the violence have complex ethnic, economic, religious, and political roots related to land ownership and government-reserved employment and educational benefits.