“The state is absent in its foremost constitutional duty to protect civilians; it is absent from relief camps”

– Observation by team of Karwan-e-Mohabbat visiting Manipur

The pitiful state of relief camps in Manipur, the visible absence of the state government in responding to the plight of citizens caused by a constitutional breakdown of law and order adds to the overall sense of deprival and pathos among Manipur’s displaced persons, says a report by Karwan-e-Mohabbat, to be released on Saturday.

Karwan-e-Mohabbat, in its report, The Humanitarian Crisis in Manipur –  has pointed to the pitiful state of relief camps in Manipur, the absence of the state government in protecting its citizens, and beleaguered situation and broken spirit of the internally displaced people.  The report was prepared after a four-day visit by activists from Delhi to the state. The report begins by providing an insight into the on-ground reality of the state that has been under the grip of violence since May 3, 2023, and states “Nothing indeed had prepared us for what we bore witness to. We found a Manipur almost fully transformed into a war zone, bursting with sophisticated rifles, mortars, bombs, and massive daily mobilisation of ordinary civilians. Entire villages of both warring communities have been razed to ashes.” Karwan-e-Mohabbat is a citizen initiative which strives to reach out to victims of hate violence which was launched by rights activist and former IAS officer, Harsh Mander.

The focus of the said report is to understand the extent and nature of the conflict, and provide recommendations centred on the immense humanitarian crisis of Manipur based on the ground reality. The team of Karwan-e-Mohabbat had, over four days and three nights, from July 25 to July 28, visited the five relief camps being run in the Imphal which house the ones who were internally displaced. “Since there is little chance today that relief camps will be wound up and normalcy restored in the coming months, the focus of our report is on the humanitarian crisis of the internally displaced persons, and what we are convinced must be done immediately to alleviate and prevent further human suffering in Manipur,” the report states.

The team met with affected people in relief camps, and community leaders, women and youth activists. Through their visit, the team revealed that there exists a stark difference in the conditions of the relief camps housing people from the Kuki and the Meitei community, the lack of basic necessities available and the pause on education of children.

The issue of the evil “other” community:

The report highlights how tragically, both the Kuki and Meitei community carry their own separate narratives of fury, of congealed and settled hate. According to the report, the Meitei community blames the Kuki -Zo community of having “illegally immigrated from Myanmar” and taking over the land of the indigenous Meitei people to whom Manipur belonged rightfully. The report states “Kuki had benefitted from reservations for tribal people to capture jobs and seats in educational institutions, while the Meitei are prohibited even from buying land in the hills. They accuse them of endangering Meitei youth by illegal poppy cultivation. They allege that the Kuki people are illegally clearing reserved forests for their farms and settlements, and threatening the ecology of the region. They claim that Kuki militants roam freely, and their violence and gun and drug trafficking thrive under the protection of the Assam Rifles.”

On the other hand, those from the Kuki community have a diametrically different narrative. The Kuki community allege that their farmers only resort to cultivate poppies for bare survival, but that the drug trade and profits are mostly harvested by politicians and big business in the Imphal valley and beyond. The Kuki community further claims that they are the legal citizens of Manipur, and allege that Meitei people want Scheduled Tribe status to grab their lands and reduce them to a minority in their mountain abodes. “Meitei also want to corner the seats in the legislatures and educational institutions that are reserved for tribal people. They also allege that a militia of Meitei youth is actively supported by the Chief Minister of Manipur, and that with open state patronage, it is these militants who ravaged their lands and people with rape, murder and arson. They allege long years of work by the RSS to convert Meitei nationalism into Hindu nationalism implacably hostile to the Kuki people also for their Christian faith. And they believe that the Manipur state police and paramilitary forces protect the Meitei militants and those who raped and murdered.”

Conditions of the relief camps housing the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs):

When violence broke down in the state of Manipur, houses and villages were burnt which forced Kukis and Meiteis, both, to flee from their homes. Official data states that, today, more than 57000 IDPs are living in relief camps in both the hills and valley of Manipur. As per the report, , an uncounted number of people have also sent their children, infirm relatives and women out of the state to relatives in other North Eastern states like Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Assam, or to cities in mainland India especially Delhi.

A brief overview of significant observations made by the Karwan team is as follows:

1. Complete absence of state and union government from relief camps:

It was observed by the Karwan team that the state and the central governments were almost completely absent from the relief camps. Except for the one camp, located in the Imphal valley, that is being run entirely by the state government, the state and union governments were not involved at all in any relief and rehabilitation efforts.

2. Visible disparity between the condition of the Meitei camps and the Kuki camps:

The report provided that even though both the Kuki and Meitei relief camps lacked adequate conditions of safety for the displaced and affected civilians, the team observed that the Meitei camps were being run with some government support – either sponsored by the local MLA or established in government buildings like colleges and sports complexes. On the other hand, Kuki camps were mainly being managed by the local church and supported by the community’s contributions.

3. Promises of ex-gratia relief not delivered

As provided in the report, on June 27, 2023, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had visited the relief camps in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, and announced that the state government will be providing a one-time financial assistance of Rs 1000 to those living in the relief camps. Even as the mere amount of Rs. 1000 sounds cruel, insufficient and absurd, the Karwan team was informed by the camp residents that many affected people in both the Meitei and the Kuki camps had either not received this amount or they had only received a portion of the promised amount. 

4. No cash compensation for survivors of violence

The report provides that though union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced that cash compensation of 10 lakh rupees will be provided to the families of those killed during the violence, no realisation of the scheme for the survivors of violence was actually announced or implemented.

5. Lack of infrastructure, protocols, management, hygiene, sanitation, and disposal

As provided by the report, both sets of relief camps (running separately for Meitei and Kukis) were overcrowded, but more so the camps for Kukis in church compounds. It was also provided that the Karwan team could not find district officers managing the camps anywhere, and the camps were being run by volunteers from the surrounding communities or part of civil society. The issue of unhygienic conditions was also highlighted in the report. The team noted a lack of drinking water, hygienic toilets, piped water for chores, space for cooking or drying clothes and disposal of solid waste in camps.

6. Lack of food and nutrition

The Karwan team observed that there was in the Kuki-Zo IDP camps in the hills, food supplies are mainly being organised by local donations which were unstable and unpredictable. The public health experts in the Karwan team also observed that due to the lack of food support from the government, in many camps residents were eating only two meals a day without any diet diversity. Signs of both adult and child malnutrition with micronutrient deficiencies were also noted the experts in the team.

7. Inadequate health services

The Karwan team noted that there was an acute shortage of doctors in the relief camps, as the divide between the estranged communities has also divided doctors and health personnel. Systematic primary healthcare at or near the camp was not visible as per the report. Even for emergency medical care, people across the camps, including pregnant women and elderly people, were forced to take an expensive ten-hour long road trip to Aizwal, Mizoram to access tertiary care.

8. Education and livelihood on standby

The team of Karwan provided that no schooling and educational services could be found, especially in the camps in the hills. The report further provided that only a few school-going age group children in the Meitei camps have been enrolled in the nearest school but most children in the Kuki camps have only informal school education provided by camp volunteers in a few camps. The report also stated: “Youth in the camps are drawn into becoming front line village defenders and recruited for protection along the informal border areas and bunkers with almost no adolescent and young men left in the Kuki camps.” 

Based on the afore-mentioned observations made by the team, the report provided a few suggestions for humanitarian interventions to aptly address the suffering of the Manipuri people. Through the suggestions, the team provides the steps that the governments of India and Manipur as well as the humanitarian agencies need to undertake to embark on this long mission of healing and ensuring justice in wounded Manipur.

Some suggestions and recommendations:

1. The union and state government must announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation program for all affected people, including but not restricted to compensation for death, sexual violence, injury, disability, and loss of moveable and immoveable property; but also, for the running of humane and dignified relief camps, and helping people affected by the violence to rebuild their homes and habitations in accordance with their wishes.
2. All costs of food, water, sanitation, health care, education and other services in relief camps must be borne by the state government, with necessary assistance from the union government, and not by community organisations.
3. All camps must be housed in government buildings like stadiums and college buildings. These must be spacious and well-ventilated, with good drainage. Additional toilets with safe sewage disposal must be built for every camp on priority; and scientific arrangements made for waste disposal.
4. The state government must ensure that blockades on the movement of food, medical and other essential supplies are firmly removed, and safe passage of all such transport is ensured. It should urgently establish of a safe road corridor in and out of the valley towards the north and south for humanitarian aid and ambulances with outlawing of searches and confiscation by any citizen group of the aid passing over from hill to valley or vice versa.
5. Free and regular supply of sanitary napkins, and sufficient quantities of clean clothes and undergarments, and bathing and washing soap must be ensured for all residents.
6. Every child over six years in camps must be given temporary admission at the nearest school to the camp. If the school is distant, then safe transport to the children must be ensured by the district administration. There should be regular surveys to assess school dropouts combined with initiatives to re-register such students back in the nearest government schools.
7. Humanitarian agencies would have a special role in helping official efforts for essential supplies, education, health care, child care, and sanitation and youth activities. Their most significant contribution could be for identifying and training community mental health workers to assist people to deal with their grief, loss and trauma. They can also link neighbouring communities in the camp vicinity to contribute to the wellbeing of camp communities. Finally, they can assist with recreational and sports activities for children, youth and women.

The complete report can be read here:

Related:

SC transfers CBI cases related to Manipur violence to Assam, asks Gauhati HC CJI to choose trial judges

SC-Appointed Panel Calls for Reconstruction of Lost Documents, Compensation Scheme: Manipur

Manipur Violence: Biggest Barrier to Justice is CM Biren Singh, Says AIDWA Team After Visit

“Who gains? Who loses?”- An interim report on Manipur violence, resilience, relief and rehabilitation

Probe charges of collusion against Manipur Police, SC tells special monitor team

Manipur urgently needs the healing touch, prompt political intervention: former bureaucrats

Manipur: Mass burial of Kuki victims deferred after MHA request, Zomarthanga intervention 

The post Stark abdication by an absent state, paucity of basic necessities & poor, unhygienic conditions in relief camps: Manipur appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has stepped up its relief efforts across some of the worst affected areas in the region. One such camp has been set up at the Chhoti Eidgah area in the Mustafabad neighbourhood.

Relief camp by @ArvindKejriwal led AAP Govt at Choti Eidgaah , #Mustafabad #DelhiRelief pic.twitter.com/0zQZu3tSHm

— AAP In News (@AAPInNews) March 2, 2020

Some 200 people who have lost everything in the riots have found shelter in relief camps, where AAP has also made arrangements for them to file compensation claims.  

दिल्ली सरकार द्वारा दंगे प्रभावित क्षेत्र में लगाए गए राहत कैंप

कैम्प में क़रीबन 200 लोग रह रहे हैं जिनका घर पूरी तरह से दंगों में जल गया।

महिलाओं ने बताया कि उन्हें पर्याप्त सुविधाएं दी जा रही हैं और उनके मुआवज़े के फ़ॉर्म भी भरने शुरू हो गए हैं। pic.twitter.com/vqs1aubWCv

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 2, 2020

In fact, the mother of Faizan, one of the young men seen lying grievously injured and forced to sing the national anthem by police personnel, and who subsequently succumbed to his injuries on February 26, was seen receing a relief cheque of Rs 1 lakh. The total amount of compensation sanctioned for her is Rs 10 lakhs and the balance will be handed over to her after submission of the report in the case related to her son’s death.

Tweeted #Faizan’s address to ⁦@ArvindKejriwal⁩ this morn.He was one of the young men who were beaten up & forced to sing the national anthem.Thankfully the Govt responded.His mother has now been given ₹1 lakh. Remaining ₹9 lakh after detailed report ⁦@abhinandita_m⁩ pic.twitter.com/fQzFSqoDto

— seemi pasha (@seemi_pasha) March 2, 2020

Those who will to donate money for relief efforts can do so here:

Those of you want to contribute monetarily for the relief work, here are the details of LG/CM relief fund account where you can RTGS the amount.

Acc: 91042150000237
Bank: Syndicate Bank
Branch- Delhi Sec.
IFSC: SYNB0009104

Cheque/DD should be in the name of “LG/CM Relief Fund”

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 2, 2020

The Delhi government has also constituted a Committee on Peace and Harmony to help check the spread of hate and rumours, as both fuel violence and lead to loss of lives across community line.

In a series of tweets, AAP spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “We have found several cases where social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp have been misused to spread hate and rumours. There are provisions in the law to tackle such instances of spreading enmity between two communities and now the committee has agreed to make spreading hateful messages using social media punishable by a three-year prison term.” He added, “If you have a screenshot of such messages, please approach the committee, so we can look into it and take legal action against the perpetrator.”

बहुत सारे केसेस में ऐसा देखा गया है कि सोशल मीडिया प्लेटफॉर्म जैसे फेसबुक, ट्विटर और व्हाट्सएप पर नफ़रत फैलाने वाले फेक मैसेज भेजे जाते है ,जिन्हें लोग सच मान लेते है और जिसकी वजह से समाज में एक दूसरे के प्रति नफ़रत की भावना बढ़ रही है :- @Saurabh_MLAgk pic.twitter.com/LsuOTZ4ZE6

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 2, 2020

दो समुदायों के बीच में नफ़रत फैलाना क्रिमिनल लॉ के अंदर जुर्म है जिसके लिए सज़ा का और जुर्माने का प्रावधान है। इसलिए कमिटी ने इस पर चर्चा करके कुछ फ़ैसले लिए है :- @Saurabh_MLAgk pic.twitter.com/QB8EFomVHi

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 2, 2020

दो समुदायों के बीच में नफ़रत फैलाना क्रिमिनल लॉ के अंदर जुर्म है जिसके लिए सज़ा का और जुर्माने का प्रावधान है। इसलिए कमिटी ने इस पर चर्चा करके कुछ फ़ैसले लिए है :- @Saurabh_MLAgk pic.twitter.com/QB8EFomVHi

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 2, 2020

जो नफ़रत फैलाने वाले मैसेज का स्क्रीनशॉट लेकर हमारी विधानसभा समिति को भेजेगा, उस पर समिति जांच करेगी। यदि पाया जाता है कि क्राइम बन रहा है तो उसको लॉ एंड एन्फोर्समेंट ऐजेंसी को भेजा जाएगा ताकि नफ़रत फैलाने वाले मैसेज को भेजने वाले व्यक्ति पर मुकदमा किया जा सकें :- @Saurabh_MLAgk pic.twitter.com/ygCWTwjYDM

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 2, 2020

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अब्बा, एक वक्त मैं अपना बहुत कुछ गंवाने के बाद पूरी तरह परेशान हो गई थी जब मैं लगातार खुद से पूछ रही थी कि मेरे ही पिता क्यों…! उन्हें ही क्यों…! लेकिन यह आपके बताए रास्ते का हासिल है कि वाकयों को उसके बड़े दायरे में देखो और अपनी जिंदगी को भी बड़े फलक पर देखो। मैंने महसूस किया कि मेरी तरह तो हजारों हैं, मर्द, औरतें और बच्चे, जिन्होंने अपने सबसे करीबी और अजीज लोगों को खो दिया और वे भी यही पूछ रहे हैं कि क्यों उन्हें ही..!

बड़ी तादाद में बच्चे अनाथ हो गए और बड़ी तादाद में मां-बाप अपने बच्चों से महरूम हो गए। मैंने यह भी महसूस किया कि मेरी तरह के कुछ लोग गोधरा और कश्मीर में भी हैं। उनकी तकलीफ हमसे जरा भी कम नहीं है। उनका नुकसान हमसे कम नहीं हैं। उनकी मासूमियत भी हमसे कम नहीं है। इसलिए मैं उनसे पूछती हूं जो सत्ता में हैं। उन्होंने उस कत्लेआम को होने दिया था। और फिर समय-समय पर इंसानियत के खिलाफ अपराध होते रहे। और तमाम विनम्रता और संजीदगी के साथ मैं खुदा से पूछती हूं कि क्यों वे नहीं जो नफरत का पाठ पढ़ाते हैं? क्यों वे नहीं, जो सांप्रदायिक असहनशीलता फैलाते हैं? क्यों वे नहीं, जो उसकी बनाई दुनिया के खिलाफ हिंसा का प्रचार करते हैं?

मेरे प्यारे अब्बा, मुझे आपकी बात याद है कि दुनिया में बहुत दुश्मनी है, लेकिन बहुत सुकून, मेलजोल और प्यार भी है। दुनिया में दुख है, तकलीफ है, लेकिन सुख समृद्धि और आगे बढ़ने के रास्ते भी हैं। दुनिया में जंग और बर्बरता है, लेकिन भाईचारा, सुकून और शांति भी है। यह इस बात से तय होता है कि आप कहां से और कैसे इस दुनिया को देखते हैं।
​
यह आपकी उम्मीदों और सकारात्मक सोच के साथ तैयार मेरी शख्सियत है कि मैंने देश में प्यार, भाईचारा, सुकून और सांप्रदायिक सौहार्द के हालात को देखना पसंद किया है, चुना है। मैंने यह भरोसा चुना कि गुजरात में हमने जो हिंसा और सांप्रदायिक असहनशीलता देखी, वह महज एक तात्कालिक विचलन थी और उसके गम जल्दी ही गुजर जाएंगे। आपस में बांटने के एजेंडे के साथ नफरत का कारोबार करने वाले हारेंगे और भारत में लोग अपने मजहब और नस्ल, रंग और जाति, सियासी बुनियाद या आदर्श की परवाह किए बिना एक दूसरे के साथ आएंगे, आपके और आपकी तरह के लाखों लोगों के उन सपनों के लिए जो एक, प्रगतिशील, समृद्ध, धर्मनिरपेक्ष और गर्व करने लायक भारत में बसता है।

मेरे प्यारे अब्बा, आपकी दी हुई सबक मुझे यह ताकत देती है कि मैं गुजरात कत्लेआम के दौरान हजारों बेघर हो चुके लोगों, औरतों और बच्चों की मदद के लिए आगे बढ़ूं, जो जिंदगी के बेहद असह्य और तकलीफदेह हालात में जी रहे हैं। मेरे दिल में किसी खास व्यक्ति या समुदाय के लिए कोई कड़वाहट नहीं है। मैं आपके दामाद नाज़िद हुसेन के साथ हूं और अपनी काबिलियत के मुताबिक बेसहारा लोगों की मदद के लिए बहुत बेहतर काम कर रही हूं। हमारे साथ कई लोगों, संस्थाओं और संगठनों की भी मदद है। हम लोगों के पुनर्वास, उनकी सुरक्षा की गारंटी और गुजरात में इंसान सुनिश्चित करने के लिए काम कर रहे हैं।
​
हमें हिम्मत दीजिए अब्बा! और इस देश को भी हौसला दीजिए, जिसके सम्मान के लिए आपने बिना किसी भेदभाव और बिना किसी स्वार्थ के जिंदगी भर काम किया। हमें आशीर्वाद दीजिए और राह दिखाइए, ताकि हम हम आपके दिखाए रास्ते को साफ-साफ देख सकें, उस पर चल सकें। दया और संवेदना का रास्ता, एकता और अखंडता का रास्ता, शांति और सौहार्द का रास्ता, ताकि हम गुजरात की उस त्रासदी को दोहराए जाते नहीं देखें।
​
शुक्रिया… हम आपसे प्यार करते हैं… हम हमेशा आपसे प्यार करेंगे… हम हमेशा आपको याद करेंगे…!

(समाप्त)

अनुवाद- अरविंद शेष

अब्बा, हमें हौसला और हिम्मत देना- 2

अब्बा, हमें हौसला और हिम्मत देना- 1
 
 

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आपकी लाइब्रेरी में कानून, साहित्य, दर्शनशास्त्र, इंसानियत, धर्म, राष्ट्रीय एकता और आपकी अपनी कविताओं की हजारों किताबें जो आपने अपनी अगली पीढ़ियों के लिए संभाल के रखी थीं, वे आपको समझने के लिए काफी थीं। वे सब खाक में तब्दील कर दी गईं। आपके दफ्तर में अब गौरैया नहीं हैं, उनके घोंसले जला दिए गए। मुझे याद है कि आपने अपने दफ्तर में गौरैयों को घोंसला बनाने, अंडे देने, उनके चूजों को उड़ान भरना सिखाने के लिए कितनी मेहनत की थी। आप अपने दफ्तर की एक खिड़की हमेशा ही खुला छोड़ देते थे, तब भी, जब हम सब समूचे घर को बंद कर कहीं बाहर गए होते। सिर्फ इसलिए कि गौरैया हमारे घरों में आजादी से आवाजाही कर सकें। जब वे गौरैया घोंसला बनाने के दौरान कुछ गंदगी फैलाती थीं, तो दिन में कई-कई बार आप अपने दफ्तर की सफाई खुशी-खुशी करते थे। जब उन गौरैयों को नन्हे चूजे होते थे, तो आप घर के पंखे चलाने वाले बिजली के स्विच पर टेप लगा देते थे, ताकि गलती से वे चल न जाएं। पंखों से चूजों के घायल होने की बनिस्बत आप गरमी को बर्दाश्त करके काम करना पसंद करते थे। हम आज भी उन गौरैयों को याद करते हैं।

मुझे याद है कि एक युवक कालिया जब अपने पांवों के जख्मों की तकलीफ से तड़प रहा था, तो आप उसे डॉक्टर के पास ले गए और खुद उसके घावों की मरहम-पट्टी की थी। उसने बताया था कि जिस वक्त कोई उसे छूने तक के लिए तैयार नहीं था, तब आपने उसे कुर्सी पर बिठा कर खुद नीचे बैठ उसके पांवों को देख रहे थे और तब वह खुद को शर्मिंदा महसूस कर रहा था। उन सालों के दौरान आपने जिनकी मदद की, उनमें से दर्जनों लोग आपकी रहमदिली और उदारता की याद दिलाते हैं। उनमें से कई यह भी जानते हैं कि कैसे आप उन्हें घरों का रंग-रोगन करने, दरवाजों को पेंट करने, किचेन या टॉयलेट या घर में गैराज को नई शक्ल देने के बारे में बताते थे। यह सब इसलिए नहीं कि वह जरूरी था, बल्कि इसलिए कि आप चाहते थे कि वे अपनी जिंदगी को बेहतर बनाने के लिए खुद कुछ काम करें। वे सभी आपको याद करते हैं।

अब्बा, मैं जानती हूं कि अगर आप चाहते तो अपनी वकालत की प्रैक्टिस और अपने सियासी कॅरियर के जरिए काफी पैसे कमा सकते थे। लेकिन इसके बजाय आपने हमारे हिंदुस्तानी स्वभाव के मुताबिक बिल्कुल सादा रहन-सहन और ऊंचे खयालातों की जिंदगी चुनी। अगर आप चाहते तो एक बहुत ताकतवर और रसूखदार सियासतदां हो सकते थे। लेकिन इसके बजाय आप अपने गुरु और आदर्श महात्मा गांधी के मूल्यों के साथ बने रहे और आपने देश के लोगों के लिए काम करने का रास्ता चुना। सांप्रदायिक एकता और सौहार्द, राष्ट्रीय एकता और इंसानी गरिमा पर आपकी लिखी कविताएं आने वाली पीढ़ियों को रास्ता दिखलाती रहेंगी।

यह आपकी उम्मीदों और सकारात्मक सोच के साथ तैयार मेरी शख्सियत है कि मैंने देश में प्यार, भाईचारा, सुकून और सांप्रदायिक सौहार्द के हालात को देखना पसंद किया है। मैंने यह भरोसा चुना कि गुजरात में हमने जो हिंसा और सांप्रदायिक असहनशीलता देखी, वह महज एक तात्कालिक विचलन थी और उसके गम जल्दी ही गुजर जाएंगे।
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आपने न जाने कितने दिलों को छुआ। ज्यादातर हिंदुओं और मुसलमानों ने साथ आकर आपके लिए दुख जताया। आप शांति के एक दूत थे, इंसानियत और इंसानी गरिमा के पैरोकार थे। खुद को हिंदू मानने वाले चंद भटकाए गए लोगों ने गुजरात और गुलबर्ग सोसाइटी में आपके और हजारों मासूम निर्दोष लोगों के साथ जो किया, उस पर हमारे ज्यादातर हिंदू दोस्तों ने अफसोस और शर्मिंदगी जताई। गुनाह का एहसास और उसका बोझ अपने दिल पर लिए ये दोस्त अक्सर हमारे पास आकर गुजरात कत्लेआम के लिए हमसे माफी मांगते। मगर जैसा आप भी करते, उसी तरह हमने उन्हें कहा कि आप वे नहीं हैं जिन्हें इसके लिए बोझ महसूस करना चाहिए।

यह हिंदुत्व नहीं है। उस कत्लेआम के लिए यह हिंदुत्व जिम्मेदार नहीं और इस पर आरोप नहीं लगाया जाना चाहिए। भटकाए गए कुछ अतिवादी दरअसल चरमपंथी हैं और चरमपंथ के पीछे चलने वालों का अपना ही मजहब होता है। हिंदू दरअसल मासूम, रहमदिल, भगवान से डरने वाले और कानूनों के मुताबिक चलने वाले नागरिक होते हैं, ठीक उन मुसलमानों की तरह जिन्हें उन चरमपंथियों ने गुजरात में निशाना बनाया और मार डाला। हमने यहां और सभी जगहों पर अपने सभी दोस्तों को यही बताया है। हम उन्हें प्यार करते हैं, उनकी और हमारी तहजीब के लिए उनकी नेकनीयती की इज्जत करते हैं। यही तो आपने भी किया था। हम उनके सराकारों को साझा करेंगे और इस समाज और देश में फासीवाद और नफरत का जहर फैलाने वालों के खात्मे के लिए काम करेंगे।

(जारी)……

अब्बा, हमें हौसला और हिम्मत देना- 1

The post अब्बा, हमें हौसला और हिम्मत देना- 2 appeared first on SabrangIndia.

मैं पूर्व सांसद एहसान जाफरी की बेटी हूं, जिन्हें गोधरा घटना के बाद शुरू हुए गुजरात कत्लेआम के दौरान 28 फरवरी, 2002 को उनके ही घर में बर्बर तरीके से जला कर मारा डाला गया। मेरे लिए आज भी यह यकीन करना मुश्किल है कि अब वे नहीं हैं, उन्हें इस तरह बेवक्त हमसे दूर कर दिया गया, बेहद क्रूरता और बर्बरता के साथ। चूंकि उन्हें जिंदा जला दिया गया और हमें उनका शरीर भी नहीं मिला, तो मैं अब भी उनकी मौत के बारे में नहीं सोचती। गुजरे तमाम दिनों के दौरान मैं भरोसे और नाउम्मीदियों, भाईचारे और इंसानियत में अविश्वास, हमारी विरासत के मूल्यों और ज्ञान के साथ-साथ गुजरात में अधर्म या अनैतिकता और कत्लेआम के सरेआम नाच के बीच बेतहाशा झूलती रही। इस बीच मैंने अपनी जड़ों और मजहब का सामना किया। मगर मेरे पिता से मिले सबक और मेरे परिवार को मिली ताकत का शुक्रिया कि मैंने फिर से अपना भरोसा और संतुलन हासिल किया है। बहुत थोड़ा ही सही, मैं अपने दुख से उबर सकी हूं।
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बहुत थोड़ा, क्योंकि आज भी मैं अपने जज्बातों पर काबू रखने में नाकाम हो जाती हूं, जब मैं यह सब सोचने लगती हूं कि तलवार से कैसे उन्हें चीर डाला गया, वह आग जिसमें उन्हें जिंदा जला दिया गया, वे लोग जिन्होंने उन्हें मार डाला। लेकिन अब मैं आपके साथ अपने पिता की उन यादों को साझा कर सकती हूं कि वे मेरे लिए क्या थे, अपने परिवार, देश के लिए उन्होंने क्या-क्या सहा और कैसे हम सबको उन्होंने फख्र करने लायक बनाया।
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वे मेरे हीरो थे। जिस पल भी मैं आंखें बंद करती हूं, मेरे बचपन के दिनों से लेकर मेरी शादी और विदेश जाने तक की मेरी जिंदगी के तमाम दौर किसी रील की तरह बार-बार दौड़ने लगते हैं। उस जिंदगी में वे हर पल मेरे साथ थे, और अब जब मैं यह चिट्ठी लिख रही हूं, वे मेरी हिम्मत और हौसले की शक्ल में मेरे साथ हैं।
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मेरे प्यारे अब्बा, मैं आपसे बहुत प्यार करती हूं। हम सब आपसे प्यार करते हैं। हम सब आपको बहुत याद करते हैं। हम सब आपकी प्रतिबद्धता, आपके भरोसे, आपकी हिम्मत, आपके मूल्यों और त्याग के लिए आपका शुक्रिया अदा करते हैं। आपने हमें निस्वार्थी बनना और केवल खुद के बारे में नहीं सोचना सिखाया। अम्मी उस वाकये को याद करते हुए कभी नहीं थकतीं जब आप अपने पुराने घर के एक कमरे में सो रहे थे, तो एक लालटेन बिस्तर पर गिर गया था और बिस्तर में आग लग गई थी। उसी बिस्तर पर आप और अम्मी एक ओर सो रहे थे। अचानक महसूस होने पर आप जैसे ही जगे और आपने आग देखा, तो तुरंत बिस्तर पर से भागने के बजाय आपने अम्मी को जगा कर बचने के लिए कहा। लेकिन जब वे जगीं और आग देखा, तो तुरंत ही दरवाजे की ओर भागीं। उन्हें यह ध्यान नहीं रहा कि आप कहां थे और उन्हें क्या कहने की कोशिश कर रहे थे। अब इसके चालीस साल से ज्यादा गुजर चुके हैं, लेकिन अब भी वे उस वाकये को याद करती हैं और अफसोस से भर जाती हैं कि आग देख कर दरवाजे की ओर भागते हुए उन्होंने आपका हाथ क्यों नहीं पकड़ा।
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लेकिन अट्ठाईस फरवरी को उस वक्त वे घर में ऊपर थीं, जब आप पर बर्बरता ढायी गई और जिंदा जला दिया गया। आप तब उन सैकड़ों मर्दों, औरतों और बच्चों को बचाने की कोशिश कर रहे थे, जिन्होंने हिंसक और कातिल भीड़ से जान बचाने के लिए आपके घर में पनाह ली हुई थी। वह अफसोस अब उनके लिए बर्दाश्त करने के काबिल नहीं है। उन्होंने देखा कि कैसे एक अलग हालात में चालीस साल पहले का वह वाकया फिर से सामने आ गया।          (जारी)…..

The post अब्बा, हमें हौसला और हिम्मत देना- 1 appeared first on SabrangIndia.

I am the daughter of the former Member of Parliament, Ehsan  Jaffri, who was brutalised, burnt  in his own house and killed on February 28 during the Gujarat violence that took place in the wake of the Godhra incident. It was hard for me even to believe that he is no more, that he was taken away so untimely and with such cruelty and brutality. As he was burnt and we did not find his body, there is no closure for me on his death. During the past 5 months I have swung wildly between the extremes of faith and hopelessness, brotherhood and utter disbelief in humanity, our ancient values and wisdom, and the displayed dance of immorality and violence in Gujarat. Over this time, I even confronted my roots and religion. But thanks to the power of my father’s teachings and the support of my family, I have now regained my balance, overcome my grief, even if only partially.

Partially, because I still fail to control my emotions while thinking about the sword that ripped him, the fire that burnt him, the people who killed him. But I can now share with you my memories of my father, what he was to me, what he endured in the services to his family, his country, and how proud he has made us all.

He was my hero. The moment I close my eyes the entire period of my life from my early childhood to the day I got married and left my family in India, plays back. Repeatedly. He was with me every moment of that life and he is with me, in spirit, now as I write this letter.

My dear Abba, I love you. We all love you. We all miss you. We thank you for your devotion, your faith, your courage, your values, your sacrifice. You have taught us to be selfless and not put ourselves first. Ammi is never tired of recounting the incident when in the bedroom of your old house while you were sleeping, the small kerosene lamp on the side of the bed fell off and the curtain caught fire. You were sleeping on the side of the fire and Ammi was next to you. As the heat woke you up and you saw the fire, instead of jumping out of the bed immediately, you first woke Ammi up and asked her to get to safety. But when she woke up and saw the fire, she thinks she quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the door without even knowing where you were or what you were trying to tell her. It is more than 40 years since, but she still remembers and regrets that incident and feels guilty of putting herself first that day and not grabbing your hand as she ran to the door.
In the wake of what happened on February 28, as she was upstairs in the house while you were being brutalised and burnt in your efforts to save the lives and honour of over a hundred men, women and children who had gathered in your house seeking protection from the violent mob, the guilt has become unbearable for her. She sees that 40 year old incident replayed yet again if under different circumstances and with not so bearable consequences.

Thousands of books in your library, the books on law, literature, philosophy, humanity, religion, national unity and your own poems articulating your understanding of all that, have turned into ashes – the treasure you had safeguarded and saved for your children and grandchildren. The sparrows in your office are no more — their nests burnt. I remember how you used to encourage and assist the sparrows to make their nest in your office, lay eggs, rear their chicks and teach them to fly. You would keep one office window open all the time, even when we went out and locked up the entire house. Only so that the sparrows could get in and out freely. Several times a day you would happily clean the mess the sparrows made in your office in the process of making their nests. When the sparrows had little chicks, you would put a tape on the fan switch never allowing it to be turned on even by mistake. You would work in the heat rather than risk injuring the chicks by the fan blade. We also miss those sparrows.

Kaliya, the young boy who had foot infection, cries and recalls how you took him to the doctor and used to personally dress and bandage his wounds. He also talks of how he, whom no one else would even touch, used to feel embarrassed to sit on the chair while you would sit down and tend to his feet. Dozens of those whom you helped over the years also come and reminisce about your kindness and generosity. Many of them also know how you asked them to white–wash the house, paint the doors, or remodel the toilets, kitchen, or garage in our house, not because that was needed, but because you wanted them to work and make a living for themselves. They all miss you.
Abba, I know if you wanted, you would have earned a lot of money through your practice of law or your political career. But instead, consistent with our ethos, the Indian ethos, you chose to lead a life of simple living and high thinking. If you wanted, you could have become a very powerful and pragmatic politician. But instead, consistent with the values of your mentor and ideal Mahatma Gandhi, you chose to serve the people of our country. Your poems on communal unity, national integrity and human dignity will continue to guide generations.

Thanks to your optimism and my upbringing with a positive outlook, I choose to see love, brotherhood, peace and communal harmony in India. I choose to believe the violence and communal intolerance we saw in Gujarat was only an aberration that will soon pass.

You have touched many hearts. A majority of Hindus and Muslims have come together in mourning you. You were an apostle of peace and an advocate of humanity and human dignity. Most of our Hindu friends express regret and shame over what a few misguided radicals who believed they were Hindus did to you and to the thousands of other innocent people in Gulberg society and in Gujarat. Bearing a feeling of guilt, these friends often come and apologise to us for the Gujarat violence. But we tell them, as you would have, that it is not they who must feel guilty.

It is not Hinduism that is responsible for the carnage and should not be blamed. The misguided radicals were extremists, followers of extremism, which is a religion in itself. Hindus are as innocent, as kind, as compassionate, as God–fearing and law-abiding citizens as those Muslims who were made targets and killed in Gujarat by those extremists. We tell this to all our friends, here and everywhere. We love them, respect them and respect their sincerity and faith in our values just as you did. We share their concern and resolve to work together to eliminate the monster of fascism injecting and spreading the poison of hate in our society, our country.
Abba, there was a time when I was totally overwhelmed with my loss, when I repeatedly kept asking myself, why my father? Why him? But thanks to your teachings, the teachings of always seeing the bigger picture of events and the bigger picture of our lives, I have recognised that there are thousands of others like me – men, women and children – who have lost their near and dear ones and who are also asking why them? Scores of children have become orphans and scores of parents have become childless. I also recognise that some of the likes of me are in Godhra and in Kashmir. Their pain is no less than mine. Their loss is no less than mine. Their innocence is no less than mine. So I ask of those in power who have carried out this carnage and who from time to time commit such crimes against humanity, why us? And with all humility, humbleness and a sincere heart I ask God, Why not those who preach hatred? Why not those who spread communal intolerance? Why not those who propagate violence against His creation?

My dear Abba, I remember you telling me there is animosity in the world, but there is also peace, harmony and love. There is pain and misery in the world, but there is also happiness, progress and prosperity. There is fighting and brutality in the world, but there is also brotherhood, peace and tranquillity. It also depends upon where and how you look at the world. Thanks to your optimism and my upbringing with a positive outlook, I choose to see love, brotherhood, peace and communal harmony in India. I choose to believe the violence and communal intolerance we saw in Gujarat was only an aberration that will soon pass. The hate–mongers with a divisive agenda will be defeated and the people in India will come together, regardless of their religion or race, regardless of their colour or caste, regardless of their political orientation or ideology, to realise your dream and the dream of millions of others like you — that of a united, progressive, prosperous, secular and proud India.

My dear Abba, thinking about you and your teachings revitalises my resolve to go out and help thousands of those homeless men, women and children produced in the wake of the Gujarat massacre who have been suffering what is insufferable, who have been enduring, what is unendurable. I am not bitter against any individual, or community. Following in your footsteps, I with your son–in–law, Najid Hussain am working to the best of my capacity and capability, to help these destitute people. We have help from several individuals, institutions and organisations. We are working to provide those people rehabilitation, guarantee their safety and security and work to ensure justice in Gujarat.

Bless us Abba. And bless the country you served all your life with distinction, honour, and a selfless devotion. Bless us and guide us so that we can clearly see and tread the path you showed us — the path of kindness and compassion, of unity and integrity, of peace and harmony – so that we never have to see Gujarat repeated ever again. Thank you. We love you. We will always love you. We also miss you.  

Archived from Communalism Combat, September 2002, Anniversary Issue (9th), Year 9  No. 80, Bless us, Abba!            

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