Cyrus Behramji Puranafurniturewala
The Dazzling Den by the Sea
Colaba, Mumbai

August 15, 2025

To

Hon’ble Rahul Gandhi,
Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha,
New Delhi.

Subject: Multiple Voter IDs Are My Democratic Right

Dear Rahul, 

Cyrus Behramji Puranafurniturewala here, Colaba’s czar of vintage teak and a chap who’d polish Modi’s kurta buttons if asked. 

You might recall my previous missive, where I skewered your Lok Sabha manifesto with the sharpness of a carpenter’s chisel. As a pen-pal to global bigwigs like Donald Trump and our own Esteemed Leader, I like to believe that my musings on democracy and rosewood almirahs carry some weight. 

But today, I’m positively peeved, Bro Rahul. 

Your August 7 voter list fraud tamasha poured cold water on my polyelectory parade, and I won’t have it!

You’re out there waving voter lists thicker than my Aunt Deliz’s recipe book, crying “chori” over 1,00,250 dodgy votes in Mahadevapura. 

Gurkirat Singh Dang had four EPIC numbers, Shakun Rani is doubling as a “first-time voter” at age 71 and 68 voters are residing at a Whitefield brewery! Isn’t that exciting and spicy like a Parsi Dhansak? So why the long face? 

For chaps like me, this polyelectory or the art of casting multiple votes under sundry aliases isn’t fraud; it’s just democratic disco! Your exposé feels like an assault on my right to project new identities! I demand my right to vote multiple times under different identities!

Look here, Bro, you have had a Thali, haven’t you? You would have enjoyed the rich variety of currys, dals, pickles, sweets, rice and rotis, packed in one Thali. We similarly crave to be many different personas in our daily lives. 

By day, I’m a son, a husband, a vintage furniture aficionado; by night, a dreamer of rakish personas. A philanderer, a party crasher, or that uncle who lectures the kids about “sanskaar” while sneakily gorging away extra jalebis. 

Some of us graduate to epic roles: a chaiwala turned global statesman, a godman turned yoga guru despite a murky past, or a neta who morphs from a rabble-rouser to a ribbon-cutter. The paanwala desires to be a real estate baron, the village sarpanch is secretly dreaming of being a mining magnate, the humble bank clerk is craving a Swiss bank account! 

Speaking for myself, I yearn to play Pritam Mewani, the suave Gujarati tycoon bagging airports and ports with a wink to the powers-that-be, or Anthony Gonsalves, the lady-killer serenading Colaba’s belles, or Percy Mody, the escape artist vanishing to the Caribbean with a billion dollar bank loan, leaving only a whiff of sandalwood cologne. 

I seek voteversatility to allow me to vote as each of these avatars. Why do you seek to clip my wings? Your fuss about fake addresses such as “House No. 0,” or 80 voters in a 10 sq. ft. room, or a hip name like “ilsdfhug” for a father’s name misses the point. It’s not rigging; it’s kick ass creativity, like naming my 1920s lamp “Art Deco Dazzler.” 

And those 10,452 voters crammed into one address? That’s just a voter mela, like all my aunties piling into my vintage 1962 Fiat to go to a wedding feast. You claim a crore new voters sprouted in Maharashtra faster than monsoon weeds. Fabulous! Its democracy’s dhansak, and I want seconds. 

Why shouldn’t I vote as Cyrus B. Puranafurniturewala in one booth, Cy P. Wala in another, and “Teak Tycoon” at a third, with addresses like “3B, Sea Breeze,” “That Posh Pad by the Irani Café,” or “Flat Overlooking the Sea, Colaba”? My voter ID photos could sport disguises such as a moustache for Pritam, shades for Anthony, a fake beard for Percy. It’s Bollywood style polyelectory!

Instead of demanding CCTV footage or digital voter lists, why not demand a Ministry of Multiple Identities? Imagine a grand office issuing voter cards to every deserving dreamer, working hand-in-glove with the Ministries of Home, Finance, and Fantasy to ensure we all get to play our parts. I’d queue up for IDs as Pritam, Anthony, and Percy, voting for progress, panache, and a quick getaway. 

This Independence Day, Rahul bro, please champion my freedom to be whoever I fancy: a tycoon, a heartthrob, or an absconder, whenever and wherever I please. Don’t let the Constitution’s stuffy rules sand down my democratic dazzle!

So, please defuse your “atom bomb” of proof and join the Masti of Multivotery. Let’s make polling booths as lively as the Colaba flea market, where every alias is a steal and every vote a new swagger. Your dimples deserve a smile, not a scowl, as we dance through this voter ID vaudeville.

With the warmest salutations and in fervent expectation of propitious tidings,

Cyrus Behramji Puranafurniturewala

P.S. If you spot me voting thrice, it’s just Percy Mody practicing for the Caribbean Cha-cha-cha!

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The post Cyrus Seeks a Right to Multiple Voter Ids appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The incident took place on May 4, 2023, and involved women being paraded naked, sexually assaulted and gang-raped by a mob in Manipur. The video of this incident surfaced on social media on May 19. 

On July 20, it was reported that the NCW had been sent a complaint on the matter on June 12, but the complainants never received a response or an acknowledgement. As per media reports, the complaint had been filed by two Manipuri women and a Manipur tribal association headquartered abroad. Reportedly, the complainants had spoken to the survivors and then emailed NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma.

Notably, after the video of the heinous crime had gone viral and invited outrage from across the country, the NCW had tweeted stating that it is taking suo moto cognizance of the matter and that the DGP Manipur has been asked to promptly take appropriate action.

What did the letter entail?

The letter made an urgent appeal to the NCW to “urgently assess the disproportionate victimization of Kuki-Zomi indigenous tribal women through brutal and inhumane acts of sexual violence, including rape, kidnapping, public lynching, immolation and murder”. 

“Witness accounts reveal the most harrowing and distressing details, including the incrimination of Meitei women vigilantes as enablers and perpetrators of gender-based violence. Victims and survivors allege that Meitei women vigilantes have actively participated in the attacks and assaults on Kuki-Zomi women and children,” the complaint alleged.

“Several Kuki-Zomi women have been forced to flee for their lives during advanced stages of pregnancy or while recuperating from C-section surgeries. Some have given birth in ad hoc refugee camps…” it added.

Newslaundry reported that the complaint alleged that a 15-year-old girl had been kidnapped and a medical examination report “confirmed assault and rape”.

The complaint said these examples underlined the “serious gravity of gender-based violence, appalling levels of women’s’ rights violations, and continued threats to the physical safety and psychological well-being of Kuki-Zomi women”.

Response of the NCW to the reports

Defending the ‘inaction’ of the NCW, Rekha Sharma said that it had approached the Manipur government thrice after receiving the complaint on June 12.

“There were many complaints and that too from people outside India and outside Manipur,” NCW chief Rekha Sharma said. She further said: “Firstly, it had to be clarified whether whatever was written is true. Manipur government must clarify and if it is true then they must work on it. So, accordingly, we wrote to them. We reached out to authorities but no response was received from them but then we took suo moto cognizance when the video (of women being paraded naked) went viral.” 

The joint letter is as follows:

JOINT LETTER TO NCW BY NATIONAL WOMEN’S ORGANISATIONS

                                                                                                                                                                                            Date: 22 July 2023

To

Ms. Rekha Sharma,

Chairperson,

National Commission for Women

Dear Ms. Rekha Sharma,

We, the undersigned women’s organizations, are deeply shocked and appalled to learn that a complaint had been made to the NCW on 12 June 2023, regarding the heinous incident in Manipur of three women being publicly stripped and raped by a mob and that the NCW far from responding to the call of distress and taking immediate action, wrote letters to the Manipur government and kept waiting for a response. Hence, the NCW remained entirely inactive for more than a month. It is reported that there are other cases of sexual violence in Manipur. Only a couple of days back when a video clip of the brutal torture became public and there was widespread outrage all over the country, did the NCW wake from its sleep and take ‘suo moto cognizance’ of the crime. 

It is disturbing that no action was taken, except for the filing of a more a mere zero FIR in the incident that had happened on May 4, right after the ethnic violence began on 3 May 2023. This made the police apathy with the victims and collusion with the perpetrators of the crime abundantly clear. 

And the deafening silence of the CM and PM was highly condemnable. You are aware that the incidents of violence against women in the country have been on the rise. Did you not realize that women have become the direct victims of the ongoing ethnic violence in the state? 

We are strongly of the opinion that the NCW has betrayed its mandate and deliberately sought to cover up this incident. At the very least this is evidence of gross negligence on the part of a respected public institution like NCW which has the obligatory duty of protecting women in the country and upholding their rights irrespective of class, caste, religion, language, or ethnic origin. 

Our organizations have given leadership in the struggle to bring into existence a National Commission for Women which would maintain its autonomy and dignity in serving its high purpose and not act as an arm of the ruling party. We have often raised our voices to ensure that NCW does not falter from its lofty objective. NCW has a history of proactive interventions in the myriad issues concerning women. But under your stewardship, we have seen this institution degenerating into partisanship with the ruling dispensation. Your claims of having communicated to the officials in Manipur are too little too late.  Never have we seen the institution so shamefully undermining its own mandate. We feel the NCW – in deliberately ignoring and suppressing this atrocious attack upon two tribal women – has misused its office, besmirched its own position, and betrayed the trust the women’s movement in the country had reposed upon it. As chairperson of NCW, we hold you responsible for this shameful situation and we demand that you should forthwith submit your resignation from the post which you have proved yourself unworthy of.

ALL INDIA DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (AIDWA)–Mariam Dhawale 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN WOMEN (NFIW) – Annie Raja 

ALL INDIA PROGRESSIVE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (AIPWA) – Meena Tiwari 

ALL INDIA COORDINATION OF POW PMS IJM – G. Jhansi, Poonam Kaushik 

ALL INDIA MAHILA SANSKRITIK SANGHATAN (AIMSS) – Chhabi Mohanty 

ALL INDIA AGRAGAMI MAHILA SAMITI (AIAMS) – Fatima Khatoon 

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Manipur Violence: Supreme Court warns union and state government to take action, or they will

Manipur Violence: Video showing 2 Kuki women being paraded naked opens the eyes of the government, PM Modi and Irani make first statements

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Manipur Violence: SC bench seeks updated status report from State on rehabilitation, law & order situation

One in Manipur, another in Kashmir: Veterans slam two faces of Indian Army

Manipur is Burning but who cares?

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Denial of internet an assault on fundamental freedoms – a deep dive into Manipur’s incessant internet ban

Manipur women stage protest at Jantar Mantar to end violence in state

The Invisible Split: A report documenting reports of “ethnic cleansing” in Manipur, 2023

120 Churches destroyed, Christians insecure: Manipur

No Compensation Enough for Traumatised Kukis Fleeing Manipu

The post National women’s organisation sends joint letter to the NCW condemning their inaction over sexual violence complaint appeared first on SabrangIndia.

This plea in the form of an open letter to the CBCI also strongly suggests that 100 Cardinals/Archbishops/Bishops visit Manipur for at least  two days before June 25 and spotlight the miseries of the people of that state.

The Open Letter (full text below) also highlights “several other pre-mediated attacks, the venomous hate speeches and other forms of violence on the Christians of Madhya Pradesh (especially in Sagar and Jabalpur), in Chhattisgarh (on June 6 a newly professed Catholic nun, her mother and others were falsely arrested from a thanksgiving Mass in the Jashpur Diocese, for apparently ‘offending religious sentiments’) and in several other parts of India; all these take place with a frightening regularity. Nothing happens to the perpetrators of these heinous crimes who do so with impunity.” Father Cedric in this letter states also that “there is sufficient evidence, after painstaking research done by completely objective and professional individuals and groups, that the acts of these perpetrators are motivated, given legitimacy and immunity by the most powerful of the land.”

On Manipur, the letter states that there is “systematic targeting killing of the tribals and Christians, the destruction of Churches and Christian institutions is nothing short of being barbaric; facts and figures speak for themselves. Thousands of people who lived in the hilly areas of Manipur, have fled their homes and lands and taken refuge in temporary shelters. The tribals and Christians of Manipur long for a sustainable peace based on their legitimate and just demands. One does not have to be a rocket- scientist to know and understand why this current violence is taking place and who is behind it!”

Apart from the national media conference, the letter urges that the CBCI call for a National Protest Day in the month of June 2023 to highlight what is happening to the minorities, the Adivasis, the Dalits and the other vulnerable groups of the country. It is time also that the CBCI demands the “immediate removal of Priyank Kanoongo, the President of the National Commission for the Rights of the Child, for targeting Christian institutions and making fabricated and unsubstantiated allegations against Christian personnel”

The Full Text of the letter may be read here:

 Dear Bishops….!

To: Most Rev. Andrews Thazhath, President; to ALL Office-Bearers and ALL Members

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI)

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Your Lordships,

Greetings to each one of you!

This letter is being personally addressed to each one of you; my apologies for doing so through one common email!

A little over three years ago, on February 12, 2020, I wrote a letter to all the Bishops of India (THANKS once again to all those who replied to me). (The longer version has parts of the 2020 letter with extracts from the CBCI General Assembly Statements of 2012, 2014, 2016 & 2018).

 Today, my dear Cardinals and Bishops: the people of India: the excluded and the exploited, the other marginalized and the minorities, particularly the Christians, cry out to you: they need your prophetic voice, they need you to be visible in taking a stand for truth and justice, in being a true and good Shepherd just like Jesus- ready and willing to lay down one’s life!

What is happening in Manipur, since more than a month now, to the tribals and particularly to the Christians there, is a crime against humanity! The systematic targeting killing of the tribals and Christians, the destruction of Churches and Christian institutions is nothing short of being barbaric; facts and figures speak for themselves. Thousands of people who lived in the hilly areas of Manipur, have fled their homes and lands and taken refuge in temporary shelters. The ethnic cleansing that is currently taking place, in complete connivance with those in power draw a striking parallel to the Gujarat Genocide (when Muslims were the victims) which began in February 2002 and which lasted for several months. The tribals and Christians of Manipur long for a sustainable peace based on their legitimate and just demands. One does not have to be a rocket- scientist to know and understand why this current violence is taking place and who is behind it!

There are several other pre-mediated attacks, the venomous hate speeches and other forms of violence on the Christians of Madhya Pradesh (especially in Sagar and Jabalpur), in Chhattisgarh (on 6 June a newly professed Catholic nun, her mother and others were falsely arrested from a thanksgiving Mass in the Jashpur Diocese, for apparently ‘offending religious sentiments’) and in several other parts of India; all these take place with a frightening regularity. Nothing happens to the perpetrators of these heinous crimes who do so with impunity. There is sufficient evidence, after painstaking research done by completely objective and professional individuals and groups, that the acts of these perpetrators are motivated, given legitimacy and immunity by the most powerful of the land. This is certainly no ‘State Secret’! In several cases, the victims are made the ‘criminals’, have false cases foisted on them and are even incarcerated; examples are plenty.

Besides there are many other instances today of how the pluralistic and democratic fabric of the country is being destroyed; of how the fundamentals of our Constitution (which are also values enshrined in the Gospel of Jesus) are being trampled upon; of anti-people policies and legislation which effectively cater to a small privileged section of society. We are all aware of how the poor and marginalized are denied their legitimate rights; of how the environment and our fragile eco-systems are being pillaged for the profiteering of a few; of how minorities are being denigrated, demonized and being discriminated against. Above all, of how corruption and crony capitalism is throttling the nation. The list is endless indeed!

We humbly have to admit, that despite the Synodal process which is underway, the Church in India is by and large still hierarchical, patriarchal and clerical. Therefore, in view of the above, I am writing this letter with great pain, to you my dear Bishops, to ACT NOW, before it is too late! Certainly, we all must pray and without ceasing; but Jesus also reminds us that “not all who say Lord, Lord….”. We are all intelligent enough to DO what we are expected to do. Unfortunately, your Collective Silence, Screams! Many wonder why! Thankfully, some Bishops, some Catholic religious leaders and also some laity, have shown prophetic courage by taking visible and vocal stands on critical issues including the violence in Manipur! There is no doubt about that: once certainly needs to salute them and particularly for risking their lives in the face of much hostility!

Here are some suggestions (even if they sound preposterous) which may help restore the confidence of the people in the hierarchy, may help in bringing back some peace to the suffering people of Manipur and hopefully, may also address some of the systemic issues which plague the nation:

1. Call a Media Conference immediately: this has to be done in the National Capital Delhi and also simultaneously in every State Capital. The Media Conference in the Capital must be addressed by the CBCI Office bearers. The demands should include:
2. a) restoration of peace in Manipur immediately;
3. b) safe return of all tribals/Christians ousted from their land and homes;
4. c) adequate monetary compensation for rebuilding homes, Churches, institutions destroyed;
5. d) book and punish all responsible for the violence (even if they have powerful connections)
6. As many as possible of you (even 100!) Cardinals/Archbishops/Bishops go to Manipur – for at least two days before 25 June. Invite Christian Leaders of other denominations to join you. Stay in the midst of those who are internally displaced; as Pope Francis constantly reminds us “smell of the sheep”; after all, Jesus was born in a stable and died on the cross. Your presence in the midst of the suffering people will send a strong message to all

iii.            Organise a National Protest Day in this month of June– to highlight what is happening to the minorities, the Adivasis, the Dalits and the other vulnerable groups of the country. Have a huge gathering in a public maidan in New Delhi – with as many Bishops as possible and people coming from all over the country.  Request other civil society groups. /Movements to join in; On this National Protest Day – let there also be public protests in all Dioceses of the country.

1. Demand the immediate removal of Priyank Kanoongo, the President of the National Commission for the Rights of the Child, for targeting Christian institutions and making fabricated and unsubstantiated allegations against Christian personnel

Dear Bishops, it is important that you act now with decisiveness and with cohesiveness; it will go a long way in addressing some of the critical issues of today! Hobnobbing with those who rule us today, may bring ‘some token and temporary promises’; but in the long-run however, there will be serious repercussions and irretrievable damage done both to the Church and to the secular, democratic character of our country! Please do not be fooled! (The longer version has quotes from Pope Francis’ ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ and ‘Fratelli Tutti’ which asks her to be engaged in the grim realities of today and when needed to raise prophetic voices) The directions from the Holy Father are clear… why do we fight shy of ensuring their implementation? There is much more to be written but I will stop here, once again making that plea which I made at the beginning: dear Bishops, please be Shepherds responding to the cries of the suffering people now. We all need to be reminded of those immortal words of German Pastor Martin Niemoller, “Then they came for me, and there was no one left, to speak out for me!”  Speak out now collectively and individually; speak out strongly for our suffering sisters and brothers!

Assuring you of my prayers for you, dear Bishops, I crave your blessings and prayers. I also look forward to your response to this letter. Thanks, in anticipation! Yours in Him,

 Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ

 (This is however, an ABRIDGED version of the much longer letter)

Related:

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Wider “WE” is Witness!

The post Bishops of India must protest & speak out for peace, against injustices in Manipur & India: Jesuit priest appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has sought an expedited action taken report (ATR) from the Chief Secretary of Tripura, in its letter dated November 18, 2021. This is in connection with a complaint filed by CJP against the alleged vandalisation of mosques, houses, shops in Tripura by right-wing groups.

Vide a complaint dated October 29, 2021, CJP had written to NCM in this matter detailing how several news reports suggested that mosques, houses and shops belonging to Muslims in Tripura have been vandalised, attacked and ransacked in retaliation to the anti-Hindu attacks in Bangladesh. The details of the 5 affected districts, namely, Unakoti, north Tripura, West Tripura, Sepahijala and Gomati were given.

In its complaint, CJP has also annexed videos found on social media which showed grocery and ration shops being burnt, a destroyed mosque property and some videos of mobs chanting inflammatory and derogatory anti-Muslim slogans.

Our complaint has also referred to the Tripura Police’s claim that it has provided “protection to mosques in sensitive areas” and has also warned against posting provocative messages on social media, and added “that the situation is under control.” They Took to Twitter on October 27 to state, “During yesterday’s protest rally in Panisagar, North Tripura, no masjid was burnt and the pictures being shared of burning or damaged masjid or collection of sticks etc are all fake and are not from Tripura. They may be from some countries.”

Since there are two sides to the story, we have urged the Hon’ble Commission to take cognisance of these scattered incidents and investigate these alleged attacks and targeted vandalisation. CJP had urged the commission to check the veracity of such allegations, and conduct a full-fledged investigation under section 9 of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. 

Accordingly, the NCM took expeditious action and sought a report from the Chief Secretary Tripura on November 8, 2021; however, since that letter did not draw any response from the state administration, this letter was sent on November 18, 2021 as a reminder and urging the administration to expedite and send a report within 15 days.

Related:

Anti-Muslim violence flares in Tripura, CJP writes to Minorities Commission
Tripura HC takes suo motu cognisance of anti-Muslim violence in the state

The post NCM asks Tripura gov’t to expedite report about alleged vandalism of mosques appeared first on SabrangIndia.

While the rest of India celebrated Rakshabandhan on August 22, 2021, Koli fisherfolk near Haji Ali, Mumbai commemorated Nariyal (coconut) Purnima by protesting the coastal road project that threatens the livelihood of the city’s fishing community.

Community members at the Lotus Jetty (Worli) carried out all ceremonies of the festival on Sunday and sent a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urging him to pay attention to grievances of fisherfolk.

Speaking to SabrangIndia, Vanchit MacchiMaar Worli Haji Ali Sahakari Sangathan Maryadit Secretary Sanjay Baikar said that the community has already sent 18 such letters, but has received no response. However, this time Mumbai fisherfolk intended to protest the administration’s silence on August 25.

“At times, we wonder why we vote. The Chief Minister claims that fisherfolk are being consulted. Yet our letters are ignored. This is all for the rich. Our vehicles will never run on these concrete paths,” said Baikar.

Mumbai’s shrinking spaces of the Koli community

Since 1999, Koli communities in Mumbai, Palghar and other coastal regions have opposed the coastal project. Locals defined the sea as their real city and thus refer to themselves the ‘original residents of Mumbai.’

However, over the years, their space to carry out their community work from Walkeshwar to Worli has shrunk. Due to the construction work nearby, marine life near the Haji Ali coast has moved away to deeper waters.

According to Baikar, the noise from trucks and other construction equipment carries 8-9 km into the sea. Previously, fisherfolk still managed to earn around Rs. 1,200 by entering these waters. However, as the project encroaches further into the sea, even this income has dwindled.

Particularly, during quarantine this shortage of income dealt a severe blow on fishers. Families were evicted from homes as they were unable to pay rent. Moreover, Baikar claimed that houses in Malad were demolished without prior notice, making many families homeless.

“Not just houses but even our fish markets in Dadar, Haji Ali area are being demolished. With 80 percent of coast already gone, people are now selling their jewellery to get by,” he said.

Around five months ago, the community approached the judiciary to demand compensation for all damage so far. Accordingly, the court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to compensate those affected.

However, members said that concerned officials cited “quarantine” and “Section 144” every time individuals called for updates. Baikar asked why the “Section 144” situation did not persist for the persisting coastal project work.

Another concern for the fishing community is the precarious position of their boats. As the sea is being eaten up for the project, fisherfolk near Haji Ali dragged 35 of their boats higher up on the beach. Another 20 boats were left in the sea.

“We demand storage space for our boats and equipment. Already 2-3 of our boats with 3-4 fishing nets were washed away during Cyclone Tauktae. The government should compensate us for all these losses. But they don’t. This is an insult to courts as well,” said Baikar.

Residents raged against authority threats of arrest and complaints. On Wednesday, people from various parts of the region resolved to assemble at Azad Maidan to condemn these actions of the government.

Related:

Maharashtra’s fishing community fights to protect its ‘golden belt’ coast
Dahanu locals reject JNPT survey that pushes for a new port at Vadhavan
Government risking lives of fishermen by letting them venture into rough seas?

The post Mumbai’s Koli folk decry coastal road project appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Dear Fr. Stan Swamy,
On July 5, you completed your pilgrimage here on earth! Thousands feel your loss everywhere; a light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere! There is spontaneous outrage because of what led to your death; most regard it as institutionalised murder! I am sure that you will not want us to mourn your death; as we look back, we also celebrate your life of commitment; the rich legacy you have left us all. We are overwhelmed with emotion; our hearts are full as we say “Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
We thank the Almighty for the Gift of You to so many people everywhere: particularly the excluded and the exploited, the Adivasis and Dalits, the poor and the marginalised, the voiceless and the unlettered; to all those who are denied their legitimate rights; and also, to the Country, the Church and the Society of Jesus.

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
We cannot help but think of your incredibly committed and simple life-style. Your frugality was known to all. You lived your vow of poverty to the fullest and in a most edifying manner; your material needs were few; your actual possessions were even less. The media had a field day, when some time ago, the ‘authorities’ came to seize your possessions- they got almost nothing!

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
You were an extraordinary person; in a selfless manner, you gave and did not count the cost! As a young priest, you lived in an interior Adivasi village sharing a small room with one of the local families. During that time, you mastered the Ho language, studied their culture and customs, ate their food and even sang and danced with them. Insertion into the tribal way of life was always paramount to you and also ‘your forte’! You believed in youth, gave them a sense of identity and helped them to critically analyse what was happening to their tribal society. With the generosity and help of the locals you also built your own residence which was an ‘open house’ to one and all! All through your life you mentored, trained and accompanied many women and men!

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
The world today celebrates your amazing work on this earth! You were an Adivasi rights activist, working on various issues: land, forest and labour rights; questioning the non-implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which stipulates setting up of a Tribes Advisory Council with members solely of the Adivasi community, for their protection, well-being and development; your work also involved opposition to the setting up of  ‘land banks’, which  you believed would free up land belonging to the community in favour of the corporate sector Besides, you helped form a group called the ‘Persecuted Prisoners’ Solidarity Committee’ that sought  to do a study of the nature of undertrial prisoners (3,000 Adivasis illegally put in jail) and to have recourse to justice. Your work necessitated expressing dissent with several official policies and laws, which you were convinced were violative of the Constitution. The Adivasis and other excluded, who have been consistently denied their legitimate rights, saw in you a person who left no stone unturned, to champion their cause.

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
You have taught us all, the true meaning of ‘solidarity’ what it means to actually walk the talk; that to meaningfully empower the exploited and the excluded, one has to be in solidarity with them, in their struggles and to accompany them visibly and vocally, with prophetic courage for a more just and humane society. You did this unreservedly to the very end! You worked together with other women and men of goodwill who believed in the values enshrined in the Constitution of India and the Gospel of Jesus; these were your comrades, your companions, your collaborators!

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
We listen to those heartfelt words which you said shortly before your arrest on 8 October 2020 “What is happening to me is not something unique- happening to me alone. It is a broader process that is taking place all over the country. We are all aware how prominent intellectuals, lawyers’ writers, poets, activists, students, leaders, they are all put into jail because they have expressed their dissent or raised questions about the ruling powers of India. We are part of the process. In a way I am happy to be part of this process. I am not a silent spectator, but part of the game, and ready to pay the price whatever be it.”  Yes, you were never a silent spectator!

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
On May 21, you told the Bombay High Court the suffering you were going through in prison; you said, “I was brought here eight months ago. When I came to Taloja, my full system, my body was still very functional. But during these eight months, I have gone through a steady regression of all bodily functions. Eight months ago, I could have a bath by myself and also do some writing by myself. But these are disappearing one after another. Taloja jail brought me to a situation where I can neither write nor go for a walk by myself or even eat. I am not able to meet this demand. Eating has become a real difficulty; someone has to feed me with a spoon.”  You also highlighted the dire conditions in Taloja jail that prompted prisoners to help each other in the face of acute economic deprivation. You were profoundly touched by the help you received from your fellow prisoners. You seemed to have an intuition of your impending death: you wanted to be given regular bail and to go back to Ranchi to be in the midst of your people “I want to go to Ranchi to be with my friends…. Whatever happens to me I would like to be with my own”.; if not that, you were very clear about your option: to continue to be in Taloja jail “I would rather die here very shortly if things go on as it is”.

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
Your death seems to have united the major opposition political parties of the country. In a strongly worded letter to the President of India they write, “We are urging your immediate intervention as the President of India to direct ‘your government’ to act against those responsible for foisting false cases on him (Stan Swamy), his continued detention in jail and inhuman treatment. They must be held accountable. It is now incumbent that all those jailed in the Bhima Koregaon case and other detenues under politically motivated cases, misusing draconian laws like UAPA, sedition etc be released forthwith.” Ironically, these political parties could not come together on several key issues which plague the nation; some of them have been responsible for introducing draconian laws like the UAPA! But then your death has provided them at least a cosmetic unity to address a serious reality!!  

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
Tributes that have come in from the highest echelons of power globally. A statement from the United Nations said, “High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet and the UN’s independent experts have repeatedly raised the cases of Father Stan and 15 other human rights defenders associated with the same events with the government of India over the past three years, and urged their release from pre-trial detention; The high commissioner has also raised concerns over the use of the UAPA in relation to human rights defenders – a law Father Stan was challenging before Indian courts days before he died.” The US State Department through its Office of International Religious Freedom tweeted, “We are saddened by the death of Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest & tribal rights activist, who died in Indian custody under charges of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. We call on all governments to respect the vital role of human rights activists in healthy democracies.” All this has obviously raised the hackles of those who illegally incarcerated you! They were afraid and insecure for what you stood for. They tried to do away with you, not realising that your spirit will never die!  

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
The powers that tried to put you away, to annihilate you, have failed miserably in their evil design. They did not realise that doing away with you would spawn hundreds and thousands of ‘Stan Swamys’ everywhere. Since your death, there have been numerous programmes all over the world: rallies and demonstrations; candle light vigils and processions; memorial prayer meetings and Masses; webinars and articles. Leading dailies and magazines have you on the cover with powerful editorials and op-eds; social media has not stopped talking about you. In several ways you have galvanised people across the board, to celebrate your life and mission; and to condemn the way you were made to die! The underlying refrain everywhere is “I am Stan”; no longer the hashtag #StandWithStan, it has gone way beyond.

“Thank you, dear Stan, you will live Forever!”
A new cohesive, vibrant national campaign is emerging and gaining momentum- ‘The Joint National Action to Defend Democracy; Defend Right to Dissent’. The campaign calls for a “repeal of Sedition Laws, UAPA and Repressive State Laws; and demands for the Restoration of the Citizens Right to Bail”. Already on Friday 23 July there is a ‘Day of Action’ planned called ‘Justice for Father Stan Swamy’ which will lead up to a fortnight’s National Action Programme from August 15- 28. Thousands from all over the country are expected to participate. We demand the immediate revocation of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA); the unconditional release of all the Bhima-Koregaon fifteen and all others illegally incarcerated under the draconian UAPA; we demand prison reforms and better conditions for prisoners. All that you relentlessly worked and died for! Strangely enough, in a lecture on 13 July, Supreme Court Justice D.Y. Chandrachud emphatically stated, “criminal law, including anti-terror legislation, should not be misused for quelling dissent or for harassment of citizens; the Supreme Court plays the role of a counter-majoritarian institution and has the duty to protect the rights of socio-economic minorities. Powerful words, a vindication of what you lived and died for; we need to see now what happens in practice!

Even in prison and from the moment you were hospitalised, you reached out to others -the less fortunate prisoners, your caregivers, in every possible way! You tell us with such conviction and positivity, that even a caged bird sings.  As a prophet of our times, you epitomised compassion, courage and commitment. You had the audacity to dare: to walk with the excluded and the exploited and to make their struggles your own. Today you are a martyr for justice and truth. The Adivasis and many others already regard you as a ‘Saint’ But you have not died; you will continue to live in each one of us. Many more ‘Stan Swamys’ will continue to rise until that day when your vision of a more humane, just, equitable, fraternal, free and dignified society becomes a reality for the poor and underprivileged, the excluded and the exploited of India!  Yes, you were murdered by the State – we are sorry and sad about that! We hang our heads down in shame but at the same time, pledge to live your legacy in our lives! You have gone to that eternal reward you so richly deserve and from the depths of our hearts we say “Thank you dear Stan: You will live Forever!”

Your brother,
Cedric

*Fr Cedric Prakash SJ is a human rights, reconciliation and peace activist/writer.

Related:

Citizens condemn Fr. Stan’s institutional murder under UAPA
Reflections on the demise of Fr. Stan Swamy
Jesuits of India, journalists and academics bid Fr Stan Swamy an emotional farewell
Fr Stan Swamy’s death highlights the need to repeal UAPA

The post Thank you, dear Fr. Stan, you will live forever! appeared first on SabrangIndia.

One would think that the members of the Union Cabinet were all too busy in formulating and implementing policies that would help the nation survive the ongoing challenges, especially in the wake of Covid-19. However, that may not be the case with all ministers. Some are busy doing what they consider is even more important, viewing the almost daily virtual press conferences of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and then critiquing the video frame. This would pass as fake news, if it was a troll posting it on social media. However it is Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, who has taken strong objection to the way the National Flag has been kept behind Kejriwal during the virtual conferences. 

Patel has written to Delhi Lt-Governor Anil Baijal and put his objections on record. A letter has also been sent to CM Kejriwal as well. The minister is yet to share if either has responded to his objects but he did post on SM that he was “hurt” by the way the flag is seen behind the CM’s medium-close up frame, and accused Kejriwal of insulting the Tricolour. He then shared a photo of himself in his office, a long shot that shows the two Tricolours in full, and also framed photos of the President and prime minister. 

केजरीवालजी माहिर हैं कि वे अपने को बेहतर साबित करने के लिए देश की तय मान्यताओं को ध्वस्त करते रहते हैं।इस बार उन्होंने राष्ट्रीय ध्वज का अपमान किया मै आहत हुआ। इस बाबत उन्हें और उपराज्यपाल जी को पत्र लिखा हैं।वे चुप रह सकते हैं पर देश कैसे चुप रह सकता है?मा @ArvindKejriwal जी । pic.twitter.com/SbhZii8KIC

— Prahlad Singh Patel (@prahladspatel) May 29, 2021

The minister told the media that he has “been watching Arvind Kejriwal’s press conferences and videos in which I find that the green part of the Tricolour is placed prominently, and has been increased on either side of Kejriwal. There are pictures of this sort of display, which you can see yourself. This is in clear violation of what has been prescribed by the government on how the flag can be used and displayed.”

He wrote to Lt Gov Baijal, detailing his objections that: “… The white portion at the centre of the flag has been reduced to emphasise the green portion,” according to Patel this “is in violation of regulations on depiction of the national flag as has been issued by the Home Ministry.” All displays of the national flag are under guidelines of the Emblems and Names (Prevention and Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. 

In March this year The Madras High Court held that the representation of the Indian National Flag on a cake and the cutting of the same does not amount to an offence under Section 2 of The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh explained that there is no doubt that nationalism in a democracy like India is vital but, “hyper and surfeit adherence to it goes against the prosperity of our nation from all its past glory”, adding “a patriot is not one who only raises the Flag, symbolises his national pride and wears it on his sleeve, but also, a person who bats for good governance. The symbolisation of national pride is not synonymous with patriotism, just like how cutting a cake is not unpatriotic.”

Now  Union Minister Prahlad Patel has alleged that  Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of using the National Flag as “decoration” during the virtual press briefing.

Patel has highlighted in his letter, Section 2(ix) of The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which states that the flag should not be used as a decoration.

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The post How much green of the National Flag should be shown on TV? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The Uttarakhand High Court has converted a letter written by a law student, about how Nepali citizens residing in the state have been unable to get the Covid vaccine,   into a letter petition. The bench of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma have taken cognisance of the letter written by one Medha Pandey, a law student from Delhi University.

“A letter has been received from Ms. Medha Pandey, Student of Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, wherein she has pointed out that, while the vaccination process has commenced for battling the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the Nepali citizens, who continue to stay in India, cannot be vaccinated as they have not been issued the Aadhar Card, which is required for registration for the purpose of inoculation,” the order reads.

The bench has appointed Adv. Aditya Pratap Singh as amicus Curiae in the case. CS Rawat, the learned Chief Standing Counsel appearing for the State sought 3 weeks’ time to file counter affidavit. The court further directed the amicus curiae to implead the Centre as necessary party in the petition within a week and directed the registry to issue notice to the Assistant Solicitor General of India for the Centre.

The matter will be heard after 3 weeks.

It is pertinent to note here that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) stated last week that no one shall be denied a vaccine, medicines, hospitalisation or treatment for want of an Aadhaar number.

The complete order may be read here

Related:

Is the right to health a forgotten constitutional mandate?
Never exported vaccines at the cost of Indians: SII
UP govt challenges HC order granting bail on apprehension of contracting Covid-19

The post Uttarakhand: Nepali citizens deprived of vaccination, HC takes cognisance appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s National President J P Nadda seemed to have been in an angry mood when he wrote to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to complain about Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders. According to Nadda’s open letter, which the party openly shared on social media, Rahul Gandhi “will be remembered for duplicity and pettiness.” This would be a relevant attack if Rahul Gandhi was the Union Health Minister at least, however, he is a member of parliament, who does not decide the government policy to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic currently ravaging the country.

However, JP Nadda in his letter-for-letter, tit for tat, mode has notified Sonia Gandhi that “the Congress Working Committee talks about the Modi Government “abdicating” its responsibility on vaccination. Is there so much of a communication gap between the Congress party and the states it shares power in? In April itself, topmost Congress leaders were calling for ‘decentralisation of vaccination’.”

However, it is known that most of the Covid-19 policies are now Centrally controlled, and state governments are often taking to social media to raise concerns about the shortage of Oxygen supplies to the states and of vaccine stocks running out. Nadda’s letter came on the heels of the remarks at the Congress’ Working Committee Meeting held on Monday where Sonia Gandhi reportedly said that the Union Government, and the Prime Minister had “mismanaged” the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the Prime Minister continues to maintain silence on the issue, Nadda seems to have once again been asked to deliver the response, as he is the party chief.

Nadda writes in defence of the BJP-led Government that it “has already ensured that considerable coverage has been achieved in priority groups by providing over 16 crore vaccines to states in the first few phases. Even now, it continues to give 50% of the total vaccines, free of cost.” The BJP Chief also expressed sadness about the conduct of the Congress Party during these challenging times, saying, “While there are certainly a few members of your party who (like several other selfless citizens) are doing commendable work in helping people, their hard work gets eclipsed by the consistent negativity spread by the more senior members of the party.” 

BJP National President Shri @JPNadda writes an open letter to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi on Congress’ role during the pandemic and how the rest of the nation is fighting it together under the leadership of PM Modi. pic.twitter.com/Cr3zDYek68

— BJP (@BJP4India) May 11, 2021

He then launched a counter allegation at the Congress accusing its leaders of, “creating false panic and even contradicting their stands just based on political considerations.” He takes a flashback to 2020 and says when “scientists, doctors and innovators were racing against time to find a vaccine, your party leaders left no opportunity to mock these efforts. A vaccine that is made in India should be a matter of national pride. Instead, Congress leaders tried to ridicule it and create doubts in the minds of people.” He added that a ‘Congress Chief Minister’ spread rumours about the vaccine and tried to create vaccine hesitancy, “in a nation that has almost no recent history of vaccine hesitancy, your party has the dubious record of trying to actively create it, that too, in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic.” He did not name the CM he accused. He asked if the states which have Congress Governments will “also come out with a similar decision to provide vaccines for free?”

As expected, the BJP leadership and supporters amplified the long letter all day. However, what JP Nadda the letter writer perhaps did not bargain for was the deluge of responses to his penmanship, including those from non-Congress leaders. Here are two examples:

JP Nadda writes to Sonia Gandhi, urging to not weaken country’s fight against Covid

Why doesn’t he just write to PM urging to strengthen fight against Covid? #GiveItUpGuys

— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) May 11, 2021

‘Fine Fettle’??????????….It cannot be @JPNadda ji https://t.co/RMoTSjpRzQ

— Manoj Kumar Jha (@manojkjhadu) May 11, 2021

Related:

Covid-19: UP’s local representatives present only in photos not district offices!
If we do not face up to the reality, we will not draw the right lessons: Sonia Gandhi
Congress offers suggestions for Covid control, financial relief in Assam
65 Congress MLAs, Jignesh Mevani move Gujarat HC to utilise MPLAD funds for medical facilities

The post How will an angry letter to an Opposition party help curb Covid-19 pandemic in India? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

While the nation waits for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to utter a few words of condolences to fellow Indians who have lost family members to Covid-19, or words of support and compassion to those who continue to suffer due to the pandemic, a few senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party have begun speaking up. 

The latest is Union Minister Santosh Gangwar who has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, complaining about the health crisis in his constituency Bareilly. According to multiple media reports, Gangwar has flagged many concerns including “shortage of oxygen and black marketing of ventilators and other medical equipment” in Bareilly. This complaint also raises concerns about the claim the UP Chief Minister had made that the state was not facing any shortage of oxygen in hospitals. The CM had said strict action, including seizure of property, will be taken against those “spreading rumours”. The  Lucknow administration filed a first information report (FIR) against Sun Hospital, and accused it of spreading “false rumours” over shortage of oxygen, after it had put up a notice informing the public about the situation. However, the FIR, filed at 11.30 P.M on Wednesday, had come in the wake of the Allahabad High Court, which mentioned the notice put up by Sun Hospital

As expected, Gangwar’s ‘open letter’, which has also gone viral has put on record that “there is a scarcity of oxygen in Bareilly,” he has also alleged that “ventilators and other medical equipment are being sold in the black market” adding that those in charge of the “Health department do not pick up phones, creating difficulty for Covid patients.” According to media reports the Union minister also asked “that oxygen plants be installed in the hospitals of Bareilly and the process of referring Covid patients to hospital be simplified.”

Gangwar, meanwhile, told reporters that the complaints and suggestions had come from the people, and he had only passed it on to the Chief Minister. He said, “I think the points they raised were valid and these can be investigated and decided on,” adding that  “I think oxygen is just a temporary problem. It will get solved. But there should be no black marketing.” He has of course not made it a political issue and played it safe by “passing on” the feedback of the people he represents. However this letter is significant as it blows holes in Adityanath’s assertions that there “was no shortage of oxygen in any Covid hospital” in Uttar Pradesh. According to media reports, the CM in April had said that “every infected patient does not need oxygen,” and had also asked that action under the National Security Act be taken against, and seizure of properties be done of those the administration thought were spreading “rumours” and “propaganda”.

Now, as if in damage control mode and image management after his own open letter to the UP CM created a media buzz, Union minister Gangwar, himself was quick to start praising the ‘review’ done by Adityanath in Bareilly. The CM was reportedly “satisfied” with the situation and asked the officials to “work harder” keeping the people’s interests in mind.

माननीय मुख्यमंत्री @myogiadityanath जी ने बरेली के जनप्रतिनिधियों एवं अधिकारियों सहित समीक्षा बैठक कर वर्तमान में चल रही कोविड स्थिति की जांच की एवं लोगों को बेहतर स्वास्थय सुविधाएं मिले इसके लिए कई महत्त्वपूर्ण सुझाव दिए । pic.twitter.com/WrVwMhSPjj

— Santosh Gangwar (@santoshgangwar) May 9, 2021

Bareilly has reported over 736 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, and the number of active cases is 6,387, stated news reports. 

Related:

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Allahabad HC not satisfied with DM Meerut’s response over oxygen shortage
Uttar Pradesh O2 crisis: FIR against Lucknow hospital for putting up shortage notice

The post Will Union Minister Santosh Gangwar’s letter to UP Chief Minister exposing O2 shortage, make a difference? appeared first on SabrangIndia.