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405 Casteism, Elitism, Hindutva Fascism Vol. XXXVI, No. 2 ISSN-0970-8693 FEBRUARY 2016 Rs. 10 Casteism, Elitism, Hindutva Fascism – EDITORIAL : Casteism, Elitism, Hindutva Fascism – Challenges to Accessible, Challenges to Accessible, Inclusive, Fair and Inclusive, Fair and Just Education (1) Just Education Rohith Vemula's unnatural death at the University of Hyderabad – not the ARTICLES, REPORTS & DOCUMENTS: How India failed at Paris Climate Conference? first of a Dalit scholar in Indian academia –points yet again to the - Gopal Krishna (2); Who will speak for the continuing rot that has spread within educational institutions in the Human Rights Defenders? - Pushkar Raj (4); country. No single political party or group need be singled out for blame, Rohith Vemula, A Scholar of Hyderabad as the attacks on academic freedom have come from various sides, University, Committed Suicide (6); The Fall of although in the events leading up to Rohit Vemula's death, the clear hand Tinsel God -Rajindar Sachar (9); India Needs Hindustaniyat, Not Hindutva - Nayantara of the Sangh Parivar elements is quite evident. The facts are known to all: Sahgal (10); Credibility is Crucial - Rajindar There was tremendous pressure on him and four other Dalit scholars of Sachar (12); 9th V.M. Tarkunde Memorial the Ambedkar Students' Association (ASA) who had been suspended Lecture (15). following an altercation with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) – in which, as it now transpires, no ABVP member was PRESS STATEMENTS, LETTERS, AND injured. This issue of the PUCL Bulletin reproduces the text of the letter NEWS: left behind by Rohith Vemula which speaks for itself. PUCL Chhattisgarh - Press Statement on the Incident of Sexual Violence against Adivasi Following the tragedy, from amongst the cacophony of noises from Women (5); PUCL TN & Pondicherry - Press various quarters, the most malicious, dangerous and mischievous ones Statement (6); PUDR Press Statement: are those denying that caste discrimination lay behind Rohith's death. Condemn Casteist Actions of Hyderabad Given that the tragedy has fully exposed the extent of caste University Authorities (8); A Letter to Rohith discrimination prevalent in academia, there is greater, not lesser need to Vemula from A Young Muslim (9); Press Release: “Dilution is the Solution” – A de- ensure equality of opportunity and substantive equality in education and facto understanding of MoEF & CC (13); in jobs in both the public and private spheres. Another spiteful report Letter to the State Election Commissioner – questioned whether he was a Dalit but mercifully that issue has been Gautam Thaker (15); GS Letter to Home settled with the emergence of the SC certificate issued to Rohith. Affairs, Chhattisgarh Government regarding A much more dangerous response came from Union Minister Bandaru the Harassment of Degree Prasad Chouhan (16); Gujarat PUCL: Implementation of NOTA Dattatreya who dubbed ASA Dalit protestors as being, “casteist, Option is Compulsory (18); Letter to the Chief extremist and anti-national”. That this was not a stray statement but part Election Commissioner - Re-polling in of the carefully orchestrated strategy of the BJP government to dub any Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation expression of dissent as anti-national is revealed by BJP General Elections (18 ). Secretary Muralidhara Rao's statement that “Linkages of these forums on campuses with bigger anti-national agencies must be probed, investigated and curbed”. The menacing overtones in the statement is not the usual bluff and bluster of a ruling party facing flak; it discloses the ugly reality of the witch hunts launched by the ruling BJP led Central government against individuals and groups, including Teesta Setalvad, Green Peace and others, who questioned them. Blows against academic freedom and targeting of the academic fraternity is by no means restricted to issues of caste discrimination or victimisation of Dalits. We recently witnessed the dismissal of Magsaysay Award-winning Professor Sandeep Pandey by the Banaras Hindu University, on the specious accusation that he was a sympathiser of “Naxalites” and anti-national forces. These same accusations have hounded Professor G.N. Saibaba of Delhi University, who though 90% disabled, was abducted by the Maharashtra police from the University 405 PUCL BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 2016 1 and lodged in the notorious Anda Unfortunately the protest against society of the country by drastically Cell in Nagpur Central Jail. That his the cut in fellowships by the UGC reducing government spending in bail order was revoked by the has not received due attention by education are not concerns of the Mumbai High Court forcing him to mainstream media and larger civil central government. report back to prison adds another society. As student leaders point The challenges are numerous - worrying aspect to the travails of out, the cut in fellowships highlights casteism, Hindu majoritarian / rights defenders and conscientious the Modi government's faulty vision supremacist fascism and unbridled activists. for education. On one hand the corporate profiteering in education. FTII students of Pune, all young g o v e r n m e n t k e e p s c u t t i n g Rohith Vemula's poignant letter aspiring film-makers from various allocations for priority sectors like highlights the plight of young castes and communities, who have education, food and social welfare; p e o p l e f r o m m a r g i n a l i s e d been waging a peaceful agitation on the other, the Government of communities who dare to dream - of m e r e l y d e m a n d i n g t h a t India is hell bent on signing the n o t j u s t i m p r o v i n g t h e i r appointments to senior positions 'binding commitment' with the circumstances in life but of follow established procedures World Trade Organisation bringing b e c o m i n g a c c o m p l i s h e d have faced needless violence at education under 'tradable' professionals, aware citizens, the hands of the Maharashtra services. The government has no empowered human beings. police. Ditto the experience of qualms about the fact that once it Rohith's call is a call of conscience students protesting against the cut signs the WTO documents, it will and vision – to renew our in fellowships by the University be bound to protect the interests of commitment to ensure that our Grants Commission. This time, the foreign and domestic corporate society becomes more humane, Delhi police – past masters at houses who pursue trade in tolerant, egalitarian, inclusive, quelling dissent and falsely education; that this, in turn, will equitable, fair and just. We cannot prosecuting innocents – showed work against the interests of the fail our future generations. they are second to none in silencing students, teachers and larger Editorial Committee q voices seeking justice and fair play. How India failed at Paris Climate Conference? Dr. Gopal Krishna* India failed to do even what a small country Parties shall continue What Indian environment minister, country like Nicaragua did in the taking the lead by undertaking Prakash Javadekar did not disclose Paris Climate Conference by economy-wide absolute emission to the Parliament has already been raising its flag questioning the reduction targets. Developing admitted by Nozipho Joyce autocratic change introduced in the country Parties should continue Mxakato-Diseko, chairperson of final draft at the last moment (from enhancing their mitigation the Group of 134 developing 'shall' to 'should' ) while adopting efforts…” This formulation aptly countries (G77 and China Group). the 12 page long Paris Agreement c a p t u r e d t h e h i s t o r i c India is a member of this Group. dated 12th December, 2015. The responsibilities of rich countries Diseko has revealed that Intended Agreement being a legal text and differentiated responsibilities Nationally Determined Contribution required application of basic legal o f p o o r e r c o u n t r i e s . B u t (INDC) for mitigating climate knowledge by India. In law schools disregarding the voice of a Central change is “a perversion of the across the globe students are American country like Nicaragua p r i n c i p l e o f c o m m o n b u t taught that “shall” is “mandatory”. which is a member of Group of 77, differentiated responsibilities” The drafters of legal documents are succumbing to the USA's demand because it undermines the “legal trained into the use of “shall” as it shall was substituted with should. obligation in accordance with conveys “a duty to” be performed. It India's decision to maintain a historical responsibilities for conveys obligation. Had “shall” deafening silence when the voice of finance” accepted under the been not important 76 pages of a fellow member from G77 was bullying influence of USA and its Words and Phrases, a multi volume disregarded is contrary to its allies. It is quite outrageous that work of legal definitions would not stature. INDCs are not legally enforceable. have been devoted to case laws India failed to comprehend that as a The paragraph 52 of the Decision of around it. The word “should” does State it has a fundamental CoP 21 makes a categorical not express a legal obligation, the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o p r e s e r v e declaration that Article 8 of the word “shall” expresses a legal resources like the land, water, and Paris Agreement which deals with requirement. air which belongs to the future the issue of addressing loss and Initially, Article 4.4 of the Draft generations.
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