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Gender and Sexuality Politics

Stop using politics of hate to hide failure to protect women and their rights: Open Letter to Uttarakhand Govt

In a strong open communication to the governor of Uttarakhand, citizens groups have urged termperance in governance. While pointing out the spiralling crimes against women, signatories have pointed out how hate crimes against minorities are being deliberately fuelled to divert attention from these, especially the role of BJP politicians in them

As many as 52 women’s and people’s organizations along with 100 lawyers, human rights activists and others from more than 17 states released an open letter calling on the Uttarakhand government and the ruling BJP to stop trying to hide atrocities on women through hate violence and propaganda. They have accused the government of trying to cover up one type of crime by promoting another.

In the last few weeks in Uttarakhand, several incidents of atrocities on women have taken place, including incidents in Rudrapur, Dehradun, Salt and Lalkuan. The most worrying thing is that leaders of the ruling BJP are accused of such atrocities in Salt and Lalkuan, but in these cases, at first the police did not even arrest the accused and then appear to be trying to minimise the crime by using weaker sections of the law.

However, in the same weeks, some organisations and individuals have attacked innocent people on the basis of religion in Kirtinagar, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Dehradun and other places on the pretext of women’s safety.  In Kirtinagar and Chamoli, Muslim families have even been driven from their homes. The signatories have, in their statement and letter, recalled that in 2023, a similar criminal campaign took place centred around Purola town of Uttarkashi, and later it was found that the alleged molestation incident was completely fake. Till date, no action has been taken against any of the people or organisations responsible for all these criminal incidents.

Overall, the signatories have stated that the Uttarakhand government has failed to provide security to women and the public, while it seems that criminals associated with the ruling party and their organisations are getting protection. The signatories have further demanded that the Governor direct the government to take strict action in any incident of crimes against women and hate crimes, irrespective of the religion, caste or political affiliation of the criminal.

The full text of the open letter may be read here:

To

His Excellency the Governor

Government of Uttarakhand

Your Excellency,

“We would like to express our grave concern about events in the state of Uttarakhand. The state has always been known for peace, harmony and popular movements, but now, hate-driven violence is being spread to divert attention from crimes against women and the alleged role of politicians in these crimes. At a time when lakhs of people across the country are fighting on the streets for the safety and rights of women, other types of crimes are being promoted in Uttarakhand to conceal these crimes.

“Your Excellency, in recent weeks, there have been many incidents of atrocities against women, including incidents in Rudrapur, Dehradun, Salt and Lalkuan. The most worrying thing is that both the alleged rapist of a minor girl in Salt and the alleged rapist of a mother and her minor daughter in Lalkuan are leaders in the ruling BJP. First, the police did not even arrest them; now, they are said to be applying more lenient sections of the law in order to shield them.

“Even as public outrage was rising on these issues, a few organisations and individuals have started hate violence and propaganda in the name of women’s safety.

“On August 31, shops of innocent shopkeepers were vandalised in Chamoli, and their money was looted. According to press reports, at least ten families had to flee from there. Similar incidents have taken place in Kirtinagar, and communal boards have been installed in Rudraprayag.  In Dehradun after some people were beaten up there have been continuous efforts to vitiate the atmosphere, and in the Press Club a speech was made openly inciting violence and hatred, calling for Hindus to carry weapons and for Uttarakhand to be “Muslim free”. More such incidents are happening on a near daily basis in the state. All these crimes are being committed under the pretext that a person from the minority community has been accused of molestation.

“We would also like to remind the government that in 2023, a month-long criminal campaign was launched in Purola town of Uttarkashi on similar allegations, due to which dozens of families had to flee. But as the district court revealed in May, that entire supposed molestation incident was a hoax. The people responsible for those hate crimes, some of whom are engaged in such activities at present, have never faced any consequences.  Indeed, the opposite is happening – the Sunday Post newspaper has revealed that some police officials themselves were spreading hate propaganda on their WhatsApp groups.

“Overall, the Uttarakhand government has failed to protect women and the public, while criminals associated with the ruling party and their organisations seem to be getting protectiom. Instead of conducting a fair investigation, the Chief Minister is trying to blame “outsiders” and minorities for crimes against women. This is against our Constitution and a betrayal of the women of Uttarakhand and the country.

“We therefore request you to immediately direct the government to establish rule of law, and take strict action against perpetrators of crimes against women and hate crimes, irrespective of the religion, caste or political affiliation of the culprit.”

Signatories:

Organisations:

  1. All India Feminist Alliance
  2. Meera Sanghamitra, NAPM
  3. National Council of Women Leaders
  4. Afqaar India Foundation
  5. Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA)
  6. Feminists in Resistance
  7. Bebak Collective
  8. Swavalamban Samaj Vikas Sanstha
  9. Sambhaavnaa Institute
  10. Vann Gujjar Tribal Yuva Sangathan
  11. Indian Community Activists Network (ICAN)
  12. Janashakthi
  13. Ram Kumar, Dynamic Action Group
  14. Forum Against Oppression of Women
  15. Van panchayat Sangarsh Morcha
  16. Chandan Saroj, AISF
  17. Rajesh Kanoje, Adivasi Mukti Sangathan
  18. MNREGA Mazdoor Union
  19. Dalit Adhikar Abhiyan, Chhattisgarh
  20. Ambika Yadav, Jharkhand Kisan Parishad
  21. Vertika Mani, Secretary PUCL
  22. People’s Campaign for Sociology-Economic Equity
  23. Swaraj India
  24. LaMakaan
  25. Chetna Andolan
  26. Paigam Network
  27. ALIFA, Aurangabad
  28. Ramjeewan, SYM
  29. ALIFA Aurangabad
  30. Kailash Ram, Khet Majdur Kisan Sangram Samiti
  31. People’s Alliance
  32. Nanga Baiga Jan Shakti Sangathan
  33. Jai Adivasi Yuva Sangathan (JAYS)
  34. Utkal Sarvodaya Mandal
  35. Shramik Mukti Dal
  36. Pratinidhi Sanstha
  37. Samita Snehi, Loktantrik Rastriya
  38. Sanjha Sanskritik Manch
  39. Mahendra, Mirzapur Forum
  40. Kosar Jahan, Sagathin Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, Sitapur

41.Bhundhelkhand Dalit Adhikar Manch

  1. Awadh Youth Collective
  2. UP Land Forum
  3. Delhi Forum, New Delhi
  4. Uttarakhand Mahila manch
  5. Himal Prakriti
  6. Samadrusti MEDIA
  7. All India Yuva Bharat
  8. Bihar Ambedkar Vidyarthi Manch (BASF)
  9. National Youth Equity Forum (NYEF)
  10. Vijay Kumar, Loktantrik Manch (MP)
  11. Himdhara Collective

 

Individuals:

  1. Advocate Taniya Laskar, Assam
  2. Rupa Mehta, Gujarat
  3. Maimoona AM, New Delhi
  4. Paromita Dutta, West Bengal
  5. Shahista Khan, Rajasthan
  6. Elina Horo, Jharkhand
  7. Ranjana Padhi, Orissa
  8. Amrita Howlader, West Bengal
  9. Nazma Iqbal, Uttrakhand
  10. Arvind Murti, UP
  11. Shadab, UP
  12. Shabana Diler, Maharashtra
  13. Poushali Basak, West Bengal
  14. Nisha Biswas, West Bengal
  15. Hameedullah Shaik, Andhra Pradesh
  16. Kausar Ansari, Maharashtra
  17. Saddik Hussain Barlaskar, Assam
  18. Hasina, Maharashtra
  19. Maivish, Maharashtra
  20. Shaista, Maharashtra
  21. Gulshad, Maharashtra
  22. Biraj, Maharashtra
  23. Pooja, Maharashtra
  24. Heman, Gujarat
  25. Maanasee Hatkar, Haryana
  26. Shivam Kumar, UP
  27. Atul, Uttrakhand
  28. Arshad Ali, UP
  29. Sitara, Rajasthan
  30. Rajesh Ramakrishnan, Tamil Nadu
  31. Arundhati Dhuru, UP
  32. Neetisha Xalxo, Jharkhand
  33. Mohit Chatterjee, West Bengal
  34. Prakash Louis, Bihar
  35. Rupali Jadhav, Maharashtra
  36. Roop Rekha Verma, UP
  37. Hamza, Maharashtra
  38. Sujatha Guthoskar, Maharashtra
  39. Anand Mazgaonkar, Gujarat
  40. Susan John, Kerala
  41. Ranjana Kanhere, Maharashtra
  42. Retd. Professor, JNU
  43. Father Tony, Jharkhand
  44. Malti Deshmukh, Maharashtra
  45. Lokesh Malti Prakash, Madhya Pradesh
  46. Ashish Ranjan, Bihar
  47. Qamar, New Delhi
  48. Shanda, Uttrakhand
  49. Vinay, Uttrakhand
  50. Mahender Mishra, UP
  51. Satyalaxmi Rao, Bengaluru
  52. Navsharan Singh, New Delhi
  53. Tajammul, UP
  54. Richa Singh, UP
  55. Vidyun S, New Delhi
  56. Kanupriya, Chandigarh
  57. Kamaxi Bhate, Maharashtra
  58. Prerna, Maharashtra
  59. Shweta, New Delhi
  60. Lal Prakash Raahi, UP
  61. Dashrath Jadhav, Maharashtra
  62. Abu Taher Sheikh, Assam
  63. Sarfaraz, Bihar
  64. Individual, New Delhi
  65. Sujit Ghosh, New Delhi
  66. Archana Lakra, Jharkhand
  67. Sarojini Devi, Punjab
  68. DK Bodake, Maharashtra
  69. Abhishek Anand, Bihar
  70. Dr. Qudsia Anjum, UP
  71. Lukman Ali, UP
  72. Lal Singh Gamit, Gujarat
  73. Sunita, Rajasthan
  74. Prithvi R Sharma
  75. Individual, Rajasthan
  76. Dr. Lata Pujari, Maharashtra
  77. Upendra Shankar, Rajasthan
  78. Ashutosh, Himachal Pradesh
  79. Chanda Nimbkar, Maharashtra
  80. Dattatray D Kenjale, Maharashtra
  81. Individual, Maharashtra
  82. Pramod Majumdar, Maharashtra
  83. Rajan Kumbhar Artist, Maharashtra
  84. Vandana Palsane, Maharashtra
  85. Salokha, Maharashtra
  86. Individual, MP
  87. Tarique Shafique, UP
  88. Anwesh Bhattacharya, West Bengal
  89. Gurmeet, UP
  90. Gufran, UP
  91. Sister Maya, Rajasthan
  92. Maruti Bansode, Maharashtra
  93. Tanu Rastogi, Uttarakhand
  94. Samiksha Ratnapal Lote, Maharashtra
  95. Individual, West Bengal
  96. Sudarshana Chakraborty, West Bengal
  97. JK, Maharashtra
  98. Raja bhaiya, UP
  99. Harsh bhakuni, Uttrakhand
  100. Sho/Sohini, Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan
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