Violence against Minorities | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:52:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Violence against Minorities | SabrangIndia 32 32 Five BJP run states see spiral in targeted anti-Muslim violence, cow vigilantism and assaults reported https://sabrangindia.in/five-bjp-run-states-see-spiral-in-targeted-anti-muslim-violence-cow-vigilantism-and-assaults-reported/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:52:26 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=34218 A total of seven anti-Muslim incidents were reported in the past three days; three in UP, one each in MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Gujarat

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]]> In the past few days, multiple incidents of violence against and targeting of Muslim individuals have again surfaced. These hate crimes show the targeting of Muslims over by mobs and far-right groups over issues such as moral policing, beef transportation, and cow slaughter. It is crucial to highlight here that all the incidents of hate crime that have emerged and have been reported below took place in states run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Today April 1, 2024 is also the 22nd day of the Holy Month of Ramzan, a sacred month of fasting for all Muslims.

Madhya Pradesh:

Incident 1: Assault

On March 31, the ‘X’ profile of Hate Detectors uploaded a video that showed a young man, allegedly Muslim, being beaten up by a mob. As detailed in the post, the violence incident had taken place in Chandbad area of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh at the hands of a far-right mob. The Muslim man had been targeted for going out with a Hindu woman.

In the video, a middle-aged man can be seen physically and verbally abusing the young Muslim boy. He can be heard issuing threats of causing physical harm to the young boy while slapping him and holding his collar. All the while, the Muslim boy can be seen pleading with folded hands to the mob to let him go, assuring them that nothing is going on between him and the Hindu woman.

The video can be viewed here:

Uttar Pradesh

Incident 2: Assault

A disturbing video of a group of at least eight people beating a man with sticks and rods had been uploaded by the ‘X’ profile of Hate Detectors on March 31. It has been claimed that the man being brutally assaulted in the video is Rizwan. As per the information provided, the incident took place in Kandla village of Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. In the video, a group of 8-10 men attacking Rizwan until he falls off his bike. He when he tried to run to save himself, the mb continues to beat him.

The video can be viewed here:

 

It is essential to note, that Shamli police has reacted to the aforementioned video, which had gone viral on social media. Responding to it, the state police has provided that a case has already been registered on the aforementioned incident at Kairana police station. As provided by the police, two accused involved in the fight have been arrested and the search for the others is ongoing.

The post can be viewed here:

Incident 3: Assault

In Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district, an imam named Mohammad Kamran was subjected to a hate crime attack by a group of Hindutva people on March 26. As provided in a post uploaded by Hate Detectors on ‘X’, when the trustee and other Muslim men from the area went to help the Imam, they too were attacked and beaten with rods by the violent mob. it has also been alleged that one individual also received a severe injury on their head.

As per a report of Siasat, the attackers have allegedly filed a fake complaint with the police stating that the Muslim men were attacking the house of a woman. The report further provided that in a video interview with a local news channel, Kamran who hails from Gorakhpur, said he had been leading prayers at a mosque in Kushinagar for the last six years. “I have never encountered anything like this before. On March 28, I was having tea at a nearby stall when suddenly I was attacked.”

It is essential to note that in his interview, Kamran has also identified a few of his attackers. Kamran has stated that “Durgesh, Sunil, Pramod and a few more persons launched an attack from behind. They hit me with sticks on my shoulder, hand and head severely. After people made noise, they ran away.”

Furthermore, Kamran has accused he UP police of conducting partisan investigation in the current case. As per Kamran’s narration, the police have refused to register the complaint of the Muslim victims. Rather, on March 28, the state police booked Kamran along with 15 other Muslims, including three minors, residing near the mosque.

As per the Siasat report, two FIRs have been lodged by the state police– one against the far-right goons who attacked Kamran and others and the other one against the Muslims. As per the report, the mob has been booked under sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the IPC. On the other hand, in the second FIR against the Muslims, apart from Sections 147, 323 and 504, sections 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 352 (punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than a grave provocation) and 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault and wrongful restraint) have been invoked.

It is being alleged that an increasing number Muslims are now fleeing from Kushinagar fearing arbitrary arrest by the State police.

The videos can be accessed here:

Incident 4: Cow Vigilantism

On March 29, from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, an incident of Haryana-based cow vigilante groups crossing the state border into Uttar Pradesh to seize a truck owned by Muslims that was transporting cattle was reported.

In the video that has emerged from the incident, the vow vigilante groups can be seen raising slogans of chopping the hands of those who indulge in cow slaughter. As provided by the post, it remains to be verified whether the Muslims transporting the cattle were subjected to violence or not.

The video can be accessed here:

 

Gujarat

Incident 5: Assault on minor

On March 31, an incident of assault of minor was report by Hate Detectors on ‘X’. as per the post, a Muslim kid aged 12 was attacked after Taraweeh prayers in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. As per the information provided, the kid had gone for a walk on the Dudheshwar riverfront while wearing a skull cap when the attack on the boy took place. It has been alleged that the perpetrators beat up the child and then fled from the scene. The minor victim had been brought to SVP Hospital pursuant to the attack. A video showing an ambulance coming to the scene of incident has been uploaded on social media.

The video can be accessed here:

Chhattisgarh

Incident 6: Harassment, cow vigilantism

On March 31, a video was uploaded by Hindutva Watch which showed a Muslim labourer being asked to do sit-ups while holding his ears and apologising for transporting cattle. The said incident has been reported from Balrampur, Chhattisgarh.

The video can be viewed here:

Rajasthan

Incident 7: Cow Vigilantism, Assault

On March 31, a video was uploaded by Hindutva Watch which showed a mini truck driver being assaulted by a group of cow vigilantes for transporting cattle. The said incident took place in Machari, Rajgarh of Alwar, Rajasthan.

The video can be viewed here:

 

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]]> Gujarat: Epicenter of targeted violence against minorities, says report that has compiled 55 attacks https://sabrangindia.in/gujarat-epicenter-of-targeted-violence-against-minorities-says-report-that-has-compiled-55-attacks/ Tue, 31 Oct 2023 06:19:52 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=30747 Proudly acclaimed as the laboratory for the (theocratic) Hindu Rashtra, the western Indian state records high rates of crimes against minorities 

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]]> Last year, 2022, as many as 55 “attacks” on minority communities in Gujarat have been recorded, a compilation of each of these incidents by a state civil rights group has said. Put together by the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), a report enumerating these incidents was released in Ahmedabad recently at a meeting of around 70 minority community leaders from different districts of Gujarat.

On the occasion of releasing the compilation, district leaders spoke about recent atrocities committed against the minority people in their respective districts, agreeing on the need for a coordinated effort to stop the atrocities against the minority community in future and what should be done to protect minority rights “as per the Constitution of the country.”

Asserting that the minority community has been “pushed on the margins” of the mainstream society, MCC in its introduction to the report, titled “Targeted: Documenting Incidents Affecting Minorities in Gujarat”, which carries the compilation, said, main aim of the organisation is to “promote and protect the rights of minority communities and advance social justice, equity, and inclusion for all”, even as envisioning a society where diversity is celebrated and differences are respected, where individuals can live their lives without fear of discrimination, harassment, or prejudice.”

In the compilation, the report claimed, they show that “Gujarat has been the epicenter of targeted violence against minorities”, pointing out, “The nature of violence has now changed.” Thus, while “earlier the violence was prominently in big cities”, now violence has “reached the villages.”

It underlined, “In particular, religious festivals, which are occasions of social harmony, were also used by communal organizations as opportunities for violence against minorities”, adding, “Through this report, we are bringing out different incidents of 2022 in the hope that we understand the destructive designs and work better together for communal harmony and peace.”

Mujahid Nafees, convener, MCC, said the incidents of violence against minority community people were taken from local newspapers, mainly “Gujarat Today”, run by a minority community leader of Ahmedabad. “We have compiled newspaper cuttings as proof of violence”, he said, adding, “It is most disconcerting that over the three few, religious festivals, which have been symbols of communal unity, are also being used to divide society.”

The date-wise compilation starts with an incident on January 1, 2022, in which a Muslim auto driver was stopped at the gate of a society by a security guard in the city of Ahmedabad. After knowing that the auto driver was a Muslim, he was abused, and dogs were let loose on him. He was threatened not to lodge complaints with the police, lest he would not be spared.

At the end. In the last incident in the compilation is of December 30, 2023,  in Junagadh, BJP leader Raman Vora openly threatened “those Muslims who will not vote for BJP.” He said that their water and electricity connections would be cut and demolition will be done in their areas.

The incidents compiled are not just confined to the Muslim community. Thus, in one incident, there was a violent attack allegedly by Hindu fringe elements, in which the house of a Christian community person in Makarpura extension of Vadodara was vandalised and a person dressed as Santa Claus was killed.

Also part of the compilation how, following violence in Borsad village of Anand district due to an attack on two Muslim boys with knives at midnight “in an attempt to kill them”, the police fired 30 rounds of rubber bullets and 50 shells of tear gas, and “took unilateral action only against Muslims.”

The compilation then goes on to show how, during the Ram Navami procession at various places in Gujarat, one person died in Khambhat district of Anand, following which police fired tear gas and shops and vehicles of Muslims were set on fire, and the huts of four Muslims were demolished with bulldozers. However, “the police took unilateral action against the Muslims”, and did not “even register an FIR on behalf of the Muslims.”

Giving details of the incidents which took place in 2023, which are now in the process of being compiled, Nafees cautioned participating leaders to be vigilant against attempts of certain sections to spread hatred against the community.

“We must videograph, wherever possible, hate speeches delivered against minorities. We must try to document each incident. We must be equipped with a better understanding of the law and the Constitution in order to seek justice from the law and order authorities, including courts, he insisted.

The entire report may be read here:

Download PDF

 

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]]> Independence Day celebrations across India marred by hate-fuelled events https://sabrangindia.in/independence-day-celebrations-across-india-marred-by-hate-fuelled-events/ Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:05:01 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29208 Hate speech targeting Muslims mars celebrations, violent sloganeering at right-wing rallies overshadow unity and heritage.

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]]> As India celebrated its 77th Independence Day, several regions witnessed disturbing instances of hate speech and incitement to violence against the Muslim community. Slogans laced with violent undertones rang through rallies organised by various right-wing groups, casting a shadow over India’s legacy of unity and celebration.

Jammu

In Jammu, the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal’s tiranga rally on 15th August 2023 saw violent slogans and anti-Muslim sentiments as participants chanted slogans laden with violence against Muslims. Amidst the tricolour backdrop, chants of “Jab mulle kate jayenge, Ram Ram chilayenge” (When Muslims would be chopped, they would cry Ram Ram) rang out.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Similar sentiments echoed in Jaipur, Rajasthan, during a rally. Demonstrators were caught on video chanting, “Hindustan mein rehna hoga, Jai Sri Ram kehna hoga” (To live in India, one must chant Jai Sri Ram). Disturbingly, these slogans were raised in the presence of law enforcement officers – the police, and thus prompt questions about the role of authorities in quelling hate speech. The video surfaced online on 16th August, 2023.

Noida, UP

In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, prominent figure Suresh Chavhanke delivered a divisive speech, targeting the Muslim community. Chavhanke questioned their voting rights, implying that Muslims are a suspicious group and cannot be trust as they lack patriotism. He further alleged that the judiciary’s interference was biased against Hindu personal law, while Muslim personal law remained untouched.

Chavhanke clearly stated how one cannot gauge out how patriotic or nationalist a person is at heart, seeming to talk about Muslims, and he went on to say that even the ‘traitor’ has one vote, and even those who want India to be broken into “tukde tukde” (pieces) have one vote.  He also attacked the judiciary and talked about how Muslim personal law has never faced interference, but Hindu personal law always been facing interference by ‘nyaya palika’ (judiciary).” The video surfaced on 17th August, 2023.

Sirsi, Karnataka

On August 14th, in Sirsi, Karnataka, Hindu Jagaran Vedike (HJV) leader Jagadish Karanth’s speech took a dark turn as he openly called for violence against Muslims. In his inflammatory address, suggesting that those demanding partition be dealt with through violent means, drawing widespread condemnation, he told the crowd “They (Muslims) are again demanding partition; these people should be shot or chopped .”

Kaithal, Haryana

Meanwhile, at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event on Jind Road, Kaithal, Haryana, Sadhvi Sushri Amrita Didi stoked the flames of intolerance on 15th August, 2023. Calling for an economic boycott of Muslims, she urged attendees to exclusively avail services provided by Hindus, regardless of whether it may cost them more. She stated, “There is still time, wakeup! Even if it may cost you loss, still only pay for services from Hindus!”

“It is 2023! If any India’s daughter is put on the street and forcibly taken by some monster, Rakshasa, vidharmi, or rapist, then she is shot when she refuses him.”

A public hate tracking resource led by CJP revealed new insights earlier this year into Hindutva’s evolving patterns in India. While communal riots have decreased, the focus has shifted towards fostering communalism through hate speech, conferences, economic boycotts, and mob violence targeting Dalits and Muslims. Rajasthan had 44 incidents, mainly hate speech and communal intimidation, involving VHP and Bajrang Dal. In Karnataka, there were 31 incidents, including communal violence and election hate speech. Haryana witnessed 25 incidents, featuring cow vigilantism, communal violence, and hate speech. Gujarat saw 19 incidents, with prominent hate speeches. Delhi recorded 18 incidents, including hate speech and communal violence.


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]]> UN member states raise concerns about violence against minorities, hate speech, draconian laws during India’s UPR   https://sabrangindia.in/un-member-states-raise-concerns-about-violence-against-minorities-hate-speech-draconian/ Sat, 12 Nov 2022 04:20:26 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2022/11/12/un-member-states-raise-concerns-about-violence-against-minorities-hate-speech-draconian/ Even as India through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta staunchly defended these laws, several member states questioned India's track record on human rights

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]]> UN Member

Several United Nations member states, specifically the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan and Ireland, on Thursday, November 10, recommended that India address critical human rights abuses, including violence against minorities, hate speech, shrinking civic spaces, and draconian legislations, caste-based discrimination. These interventions came during the 41st Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The UPR is an annual process through which 1/5th of UN member states are reviewed by all other member states. States under review are presented with recommendations to improve their human rights record. The culmination of this process could be viewed online. 

On Thursday, November 10, the United States, Greece, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and Ireland stressed the threats faced by Indian minorities and called upon India to revise or discard discriminatory laws that target them. 

Michele Taylor, the US ambassador to UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), said that “discrimination against women and religious minorities persists” in India, and encouraged the Indian government to “strive towards democratic ideals” by revising the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA), and similar laws targeting activists, journalists, and minorities.  

The strongest comment on the freedom of religion came from Greece that called upon India to “ensure full implementation of freedom of religion”. Germany expressed concern about the rights situation in India and said, “Germany remains concerned about the rights of marginalised groups, especially religious minorities as well as women and girls.” Germany also said that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act should not “unduly restrict” the “freedom of association” in India. The German representative called upon India to strengthen the National Human Rights Commission and said the discrimination against Dalits should end. 

Canada recommended that India “investigate all cases of religious violence, including against Muslims,” strengthen media freedom, and revise the UAPA. 

South Korea recommended that India prioritise the “protection of religious minorities and marginalised social groups” and “promote freedom of peaceful assembly.” 

Japan called on India to “end enforced disappearances,” referencing the rise in detentions of Kashmiri human rights defenders and civilians.    

Several other countries also made statements on India’s treatment of minority groups. Malaysia was the only country to specifically mention rising religious extremism among Indian Hindus, calling on India to “take concrete steps to eradicate extremist ideologies, [which] affects religious minorities.” 

Turkey specifically recommended that India “prevent persecution against Muslims,” making it one of the only countries to name India’s largest victim group. Ironically, Turkey’s own authoritarian regime under Erdogan has come in for consistent international flak.

 Czechia called on India to “repeal crimes of sedition and definition in line with international [standards] on freedom of speech, safeguard ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities, and protect journalists from arbitrary detentions, “especially in Jammu and Kashmir.” Similarly, Luxembourg also called for releasing human rights defenders in detention.  

The Holy See specifically recommended the prosecution of religious violence, referencing the rise in Hindu extremist violence against Muslims and Christians. Similarly, South Africa recommended that India hold accountable public officials who promote religious intolerance and hate speech, while Turkey and Norway called for combating hate speech in general.

Ireland and the Netherlands called for the review of anti-conversion laws, which are weaponized to promote violence against Indian Christians. Ireland also expressed concerns about the discriminatory nature of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Germany, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, the Marshall Islands, and Cameroon called India to address caste discrimination and enact protections for the marginalized Dalit community.

The United Kingdom, Germany, Brunei, Djibouti, Angola, Portugal, and Croatia also recommended that India increase protection FOR religious minorities in general.  

A number of other recommendations addressed draconian legislation and broader authoritarian trends under the Modi regime. 

The United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Brazil, and Czechia all expressed concerns regarding freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the overall shrinking of civic spaces in India. 

Switzerland, Estonia, and Belgium joined the United States and Canada in calling for the UAPA to be revised or repealed. Belgium specifically mentioned that doing so would “ensure the right to freedom of expression.” 

South Korea, Germany, Slovakia, and Australia joined the United States in calling for the FCRA to be revised or repealed.  

India’s Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta — the head of the Indian delegation —for delivering an aggressive speech stating that while India respected human rights defenders and protected human rights for all, the Indian government, they “must follow the law.” Mehta’s official responde during the UPR process made headline news in the country on November 12. “Actions were taken against some organisations due to their illegal practices including malafide re-routing of money and wilful and continuing violations of extant legal provisions, foreign exchange management rules and tax law of India,” added Tushar Mehta in defence of India’s actions regarding the human rights defenders. Earlier, the member countries of the HRC made a number of observations touching upon Indian society and polity.

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]]> Stop Violence and Discrimination against Minorities: Retired Civil Servants’ Open Letter https://sabrangindia.in/stop-violence-and-discrimination-against-minorities-retired-civil-servants-open-letter/ Mon, 29 Jan 2018 05:09:18 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2018/01/29/stop-violence-and-discrimination-against-minorities-retired-civil-servants-open-letter/ The letter has been signed by 67 retired civil servants belonging to a range of services, many of whom had reached the pinnacle of their careers during their working lives. Photo credit: Indian Express The Open Letter expresses deep concern at the continuing brutal violence and widespread discrimination targeting minorities as also the wholly lackadaisical […]

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]]> The letter has been signed by 67 retired civil servants belonging to a range of services, many of whom had reached the pinnacle of their careers during their working lives.


Photo credit: Indian Express

The Open Letter expresses deep concern at the continuing brutal violence and widespread discrimination targeting minorities as also the wholly lackadaisical response of law enforcement authorities to these attacks. The letter calls upon the Hon’ble Prime Minister and his Government  to give an immediate and clear response on these issues and to take firm action against the perpetrators of such hate crimes by various law enforcement agencies. In conclusion, it urges those who belong to the majority community to stand up, oppose and publicly condemn the communalization of our society and our country.

 
Of the 67 signatories, 8 were  in the Indian Police Service (IPS), 9 were in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS),  8  in other services like the Indian Information Service (IIS), the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and so on and 42 in the Indian Administrative  Service (IAS).Analysis of their ranks and postings is instructive.
 
Of the IPS officers, most retired in the rank of Director-General of Police and/or Special Secretary/Secretary to the Government of India and two of them went on to become the Governor of Manipur and Adviser to the Governor of Punjab/Ambassador to Romania respectively. Amongst the IFS officers, 8 out of 9 represented India as Ambassadors and High Commissioners to different countries and went on to retire in the rank of Special Secretary/Secretary to the Government of India.
 
Amongst the signatories are at least 2 former Chief Information Commissioners of the Central Information Commission, a former Chief Information Commissioner in a State, a former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and a former Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General of India as well as more than 15 former Secretaries to the Government of India, 3 former Chief Secretaries to State Governments and several Additional Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries to State Governments. One is a winner of the Magsaysay Award. Cutting across services, there are are some officers who headed Central and State public sector undertakings, Government Commissions and so on.
 

January 28, 2011

Open Letter regarding violence and discrimination against minorities in India.
 
We, retired civil servants belonging to different Services and batches, wish to register our deep concern at the continuing incidents of mindless violence in the country, especially those targeting the minorities, and the lackadaisical response of the law enforcement machinery to these attacks.
The killing of Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant worker from West Bengal in Rajsamand, Rajasthan, on the 25th Anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid has deeply shaken each of us. The recording of the brutal act on video and the circulation of the justification for the killing over the internet cuts at the roots of an inclusive and pluralistic society drawing its inspiration from the teachings of Buddha, Mahavira, Ashoka, Akbar, the Sikh Gurus, Hindu Sages and Gandhi. The violent incidents in Udaipur in support of the alleged killer are a pointer to how deep the sectarian poison has spread among the population of this country.
 
In the last nine months, we have seen the death of Pehlu Khan on 3rd April after he was attacked by a crowd of so called Gau Rakshaks near Behror, Alwar, on 1st of April. The killers named by him have not been arrested so far. However, seven others have been arrested and subsequently let off on bail.
 
The second killing on 16th of June of Zafar Khan was in the name of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The Municipal Chairman and other Safai Karmacharis in Pratapgarh reportedly beat him to death while he was opposing the naming and shaming process for making Pratapgarh open defecation- free. There is no arrest so far with the police claiming that Zafar Khan died of a heart attack.
 
The third killing in June 2017, was that of 16-year-old Junaid Khan on a train returning after Eid shopping in Delhi following a dispute over seats on the train when following abuses and insults he was stabbed and thrown out of the train at Asoti station, where he bled to death.
 
Following an outcry against this incident both within and outside India, the Prime Minister made a statement that “killing people in the name of ‘Gau bhakti’ is unacceptable”. He repeated this once again a day before the Parliamentary session started on 15th of July, 2017, at an all India meeting of the BJP, where he placed the onus on taking stringent action in these cases on the State governments. However, the killings continue without any check.
 
The fourth killing happened on 27th August, 2017, when Anwar Hussain and Hafizul Sheikh, both 19 years of age, who were transporting cattle purchased from Dhupguri in West Bengal to Tufangunj in Cooch Behar. As they got lost on the way, a mob accosted them in the early hours and when they could not pay the 50,000 rupees demanded of them, beat them both to death. Though three persons were arrested for the lynching, efforts to identify others in the mob have not produced any result so far.
The fifth killing happened on 10th of November, 2017, when Umair Khan and his friends transporting cows were fired on by so called Gau Rakshaks in Govindgarh Tehsil in Alwar district. Umair Khan was killed and his body was carried to the railway track in an attempt to destroy all evidence. Of the seven killers only two were arrested. However, two of the victims, Tahir and Jawed, were placed behind bars.
 
The Indian Express of December 25 quotes a BJP MLA from Rajasthan – Gyan Dev Ahuja of Ramgarh – who said that “if one engages in cow smuggling or slaughters a cow, he will be killed.” Such language is an open incitement to violence, acts of which are slowly poisoning the body politic and examples of which are listed above. Such words and actions have no place in a civilized society and fly in the face of established jurisprudence. Vigilantism is let loose upon a hapless group with all its tragic consequences.
 
Apart from the murders, we are deeply concerned to see the acceleration of a process of ghettoization through organized resistance to sale of properties to Muslims, or refusal by owners to have them as tenants. A recent case reported in the media relates to prevention of a Muslim buyer to take possession of a house in the Maliwara locality of Meerut that he had paid for. The daily indignities that the Muslims face in this and many other ways is bound to lead to an atmosphere of resentment in that religious community that will further vitiate an already poisoned environment. The “love-jihad” campaigns of right-wing Hindu groups are again symptomatic of the efforts by extremist elements of the majority religion to interfere in the basic constitutional rights of citizens to enter into marriage with a partner of their choice.
 
In the past few weeks in December, we are witness to increasing targeting of Christians around the observation of Christmas. On 15th of December, police detained groups singing carols in Satna. When a group of priests went to make enquiries, they were also reportedly detained by the police. In Uttar Pradesh, the Hindu Jagran Manch warned Christian schools in Aligarh against observing Christmas. In Rajasthan, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad allegedly stormed a Christmas function on the grounds that this was an attempt at forced conversion.
 
We seek now and without delay a clear response from the Hon’ble Prime Minister and his government on these issues, along with immediate and firm action against the perpetrators of such hate crimes against minorities in this country by the respective law enforcement authorities.
 
These recent incidents undermine our Constitutional values and weaken the rule of law to create a new normal in society. Our existing laws provide adequate protection if they are implemented with the necessary will and determination. Legal protection alone however is not a solution when the communal virus has already spread far and wide in the society. It is essential for each of us as individuals to reflect on the repercussions of a situation where the present trends could threaten the peace and cohesion that is a fundamental pre- requisite for our growth and development. And for all of us, most of all for those who belong to the majority community, to go beyond mere reflection, to stand up, oppose and publicly condemn the communalization of our society and our country.

Signatories:
1.S.P. Ambrose, IAS (Retd.), Former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Shipping & Transport, GoI
2.Ishrat Aziz, IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador to Brazil & Saudi Arabia
3.Vappala Balachandran, IPS (Retd.)Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GoI
4.Meera C Borwankar, IPS (Retd.) Former DGP, Bureau of Police Research and Development, GoI
5.Sundar Burra, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra
6.Som Chaturvedi, IRTS (Retd.), Former Additional Member, Railway Board, GoI
7.Javid Chaudhuri IAS (Retd.), Former  Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI
8.Kalyani Chaudhuri, IAS (Retd.), Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal
9.Anna Dani, IAS (Retd.), Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra
10.Surjit K. Das, IAS (Retd.), Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand
11.Vibha Puri Das, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI
12.Nareshwar Dayal, IFS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
13.Keshav Desiraju, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI
14.Sushil Dubey, IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador to Sweden
15.K.P. Fabian, IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador to Italy
16.Bhaskar Ghose, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, GoI
17.Hirak Ghosh, IAS (Retd.), Former Principal Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal
18.Balagopal Gopalan, IAS (Retd.), Former Special Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal
19.R. Govindarajan, IPS (Retd.), Former Chairman, Joint Intelligence Committee, Cabinet Secretariat (in the rank of Secretary to GoI)
20.Meena Gupta, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, GoI
21.Ravi Vira Gupta, IAS (Retd.), Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India
22.Wajahat Habibullah, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, GoI and Chief Information Commissioner.
23.Deepa Hari, IRS (Resigned).
24.Sajjad Hassan, IAS (Retd.), Former Commissioner (Planning), Govt. of Manipur
25.Gurbachan Jagat, IPS (Retd.), Former DGP, J&K; DG, BSF; Chairman, UPSC; Governor of Manipur
26.Kamal Jaswal, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Department of Information Technology, GoI
27.K. John Koshy, IAS (Retd.), Former State Chief Information Commissioner, West Bengal
28.Ajai Kumar, IFS (Retd.), Former Director, Ministry of Agriculture, GoI 
29.Arun Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Former Chairman, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, GoI
30.Brijesh Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Department of Information Technology, GoI
31.Chaman Lal, IPS (Retd.), Former DGP, Nagaland.
32.PMS Malik, IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador to Myanmar & Special Secretary, MEA, GoI
33.Harsh Mander, IAS (Retd.), Govt. of Madhya Pradesh
34.Aditi Mehta, IAS (Retd.), Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan
35.Dalip Mehta, IFS (Retd.), Former Secretary to GoI & Dean, Foreign Service Institute
36.Sonalini Mirchandani, IFS (Resigned) 
37.Dr L Mishra, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Labour, GoI
38.Sunil Mitra, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Finance, GoI
39.Ruchira Mukerjee, IP&TFAS (Retd.), Former Adviser, Telecom Commission, GoI 
40.Anup Mukerji, IAS (Retd.), Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Bihar 
41.Deb Mukharji,  IFS (Retd.), Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Ambassador to Nepal 
42.Pranab S. Mukhopadhyay, IAS (Retd.), Former Director, Indian Institute of Port management, Kolkata, GoI
43.Sobha Nambisan, IAS (Retd.), Former Principal Secretary (Planning), Govt. of Karnataka
44.Sivakami Palanimuthu, IAS (Retd.), Former Special Commissioner, Stationery & Printing Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
45.Niranjan Pant, IA & AS (Retd.), Former Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
46.P R Parthasarathy, IPS (Retd.), Former Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Govt. of Maharashtra
47.K Sujatha Rao, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI
48.MY Rao, IAS (Retd.), Former Chairman, Orissa State Electricity Board, Govt. of Orissa
49.NK Raghupathy, IAS (Retd.), Former Chairman, Staff Selection Commission, GoI
50.Satwant Reddy, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary to GoI, Ministry of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
51.Julio Ribeiro, IPS (Retd.), Former Adviser to Governor of Punjab & Ambassador to Romania
52.Sayeed Rizvi, IAS (Retd.), Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, GoI
53.Aruna Roy, IAS (Resigned) 
54.Manabendra N Roy, IAS (Retd.), Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal
55.ManMohan Sagar, IPS (Retd.), Former CMD, Assam Police Housing Corporation
56.Umrao Salodia, IAS (Retd.), Former Chairman, Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation, Govt. of Rajasthan
57.Deepak Sanan, IAS (Retd.), Former Principal Adviser (AR) to Chief Minister, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh
58.Deepak Sandhu, Indian Information Service (Retd.), Former Chief Information Commissioner, Central Information Commission
59.EAS Sarma, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, GoI
60.NC Saxena, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Planning Commission, GoI
61 A Selvaraj, IRS (Retd.), Former Chief Commissioner, Income Tax, Chennai, GoI
62.Ardhendu Sen, IAS (Retd.), Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal
63.Aftab Seth, IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador to Japan
64.Har Mander Singh, IAS (Retd.), Former Director General, ESI Corporation, GoI
65.Jawhar Sircar, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Culture, GoI, & CEO, Prasar Bharati
66.Geetha Thoopal, IRAS (Retd.), Former General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata
67.Ramani Venkatesan, IAS (Retd.), Former Director General, YASHADA, Govt. Of Maharashtra

The post Stop Violence and Discrimination against Minorities: Retired Civil Servants’ Open Letter appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Kandhamal: Under Whose Control? https://sabrangindia.in/kandhamal-under-whose-control/ Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:30:00 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2008/09/17/kandhamal-under-whose-control/ The riot among the Hindus and Muslims occurred in Rourkela in 1964-65 had lasted only for three days. But, in Kandhamal it has been continuing since last 20-days. It can be considered as the worst ever communal violence witnessed within Orissa. When the Government claims that the situation is peaceful and under control, but the […]

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The riot among the Hindus and Muslims occurred in Rourkela in 1964-65 had lasted only for three days. But, in Kandhamal it has been continuing since last 20-days. It can be considered as the worst ever communal violence witnessed within Orissa. When the Government claims that the situation is peaceful and under control, but the reality is complete opposite. People are left as completely terror-stricken and nobody from minority community feels safe in villages, prefers to stay back in relief camps.

On 11th September 08 the Orissa government informed the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kandhamal had "improved considerably" and was now under control. In this regards, a detailed affidavit was submitted by the Orissa Home Secretary T.K. Mishra on behalf of the government, in response to a writ petition filed by Raphael Cheenath, the Cuttack Achbishop. The State Government's Counsel also informed the Apex Court Bench, comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam, that all steps taken by the administration to maintain law had been taken. So far, the government has formed 354 peace committees to help restore harmony. Some 421 criminal cases have been instituted against the rioters and 629 persons involved in the violence have been booked. In the petition, the government also informed the Supreme Court that VHP leader Praveen Togadia's proposed kalash yatra was also barred from entering the district. It is yet to be informed of who the people in the peace committees are and how far they have earned the 'real' confidence of the villagers belonging to the minority community.

The Government and Sangha Parivar are trying to project the entire incident as a reflection of the age-old conflicts in between Adivasis and Dalits and situation under control. This is further palpable from the Chief Secretary's discussion with USA Consul General Ms Beth A Payne on 11th September. The Officer informed to Ms Payne, who has come to meet the Chief Minister Mr Naveen Patnaik and others for some commercial purposes at the Orissa Secretariat, – that it was not a communal violence against Christians, rather group clashes in between adivasis and dalits and now it is under control.

The question arises – what does 'situation is under control' mean, under whose control is it? The information as gathered from the field, it is under the control of the VHP, Bajrang Dal and their hooligans backed by BJP leaders. One civil society fact finding team returned today to Bhubaneswar after visiting the area. As we got from them through informal talks (they will present their official report after 1 or 2 days), they had to take permission from the district authority before entering into villages. The situation is unthinkably scaring and suspicious. Everybody is awfully waiting under uncertainty – as if, it may bring another big trouble next day. Even NGOs and reporters are under constant fear of being threatened.

The already ravished, terrorized, emotionally broken dalits and adivasis are being converted from Christianity to Hinduism in a well-planned manner. A villager (Christian) from Baliguda block called and informed today that they have been given a ultimatum by VHP people that they have to keep themselves prepared with two cocoanuts, non-boiled rice (arua chaula) and other items for attending re-conversion (sanskar) ceremony on 15th September 2008. In case they failed to do so, what will happen – only time can tell? 'In the meantime more than 1000 families have been reconverted within 15-days' according to a reporter, who does not want to disclose his identity.

A couple of days back, the leaders of VHP and RSS have announced to wipe out Christians from Kandhamal District shortly. This was reiterated by Sangha leaders on 11th September before press. Addressing media persons after his meeting with Sankaracharya, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Chief, Ashok Singhal said while the crucifixion of Jesus helped in spreading Christianity worldwide, the killing of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati would end conversions and cow slaughter. He reiterated his vow to put an end to conversions in the country. Also he told that recently thousands of 'forcefully or deceptively' converted people in Kandhamal are coming back to Hinduism after they realized that the Christianity can not give them security and protection. State VHP leader Mr. Subash Chouhan said that religious functions would also be conducted to reconvert all the converts into the Hindu fold. He also said a month-long campaign from September 23 would be launched in which the holy 'soils' from the 'samadhi' of Swami Lakshmanananda would be taken in a procession to all the villages in the Kandhamal where the Christian missionaries had converted a large number of native tribal population into Christianity.

The 'reconversion programme' has been planned and being carried out very systematically in association with many influential persons and institutions. The VHP Supremo – Mr.Singhal had a closed-door meeting with the Puri Shankaracharya, Swami Neeschalananda Saraswati, at his mutt at Puri for over an hour. Also he had meets with the CM and the leaders of RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and BJP separately.

When the Government claiming the situation is peaceful and normal in Kandhamal, then why did the District Collector of Kandhamal, Krishan Kumar asked the State Election Commission to postpone the urban local bodies' poll in the area scheduled to be held Sep 19 since the situation had not become completely normal.' The situation is under control but in some areas, it continues to be tense,' he said. 'More than 20,000 people have been living in 18 relief camps and many of them have said they don't want to return home at this moment because they still fear a threat to their lives,' Although the ban order is still in force across the district, thousands of women blocked several roads Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to demand the release of those (VHP people) arrested on rioting charges. This demand was put before the Orissa CM by none other than Mr.Ashok Singhal. These women, mostly tribals, often take to the streets defying prohibitory orders, admitted by Mr.Kumar. Why the administration is not able to stop these and arrest the RSS, VHP, BJP leaders who are mobilizing these women to organize such rallies near relief camps and creating atmosphere of terror and insecurity for the people in camps.

People belonging to minority communities either in relief camps or villages or outside are under constant fear, insecurity. They do not have other choices than to 'reconvert or die'. Now, the freedom, dignity and right of the adivasis and dalits are in the hands of VHP and BJP leaders and their hired hooligans. The Constitutional rights of a section of Indian citizens, who are said to be the original inhabitants (indigenous communities), are under captivity. Not to speak of taking up any actions to ensure their rights, the Government looks helpless before the designs of fundamentalists. The suspicion of the minority communities about the State of siding with communal forces and compromising its constitutional responsibilities as secular and democratic polity is gaining more ground. Of course the Civil Society still hopes 'the Navin government is not a collaborator, but a helpless and mute spectator'.

The Government and BJD-BJP leaders have strongly refused to accept the demand for CBI enquiry into both the murder of Laxmanananda and that of Christians. Actually whatever level of importance is given for the enquiry of Laxmanananda case, is below expectation. Comparing to it, a little has been done to trace out the murderers of innocent Christians during subsequent violence. The affected people are sometimes threatened by the hooligans not to file their FIRs against their leaders and followers and also discouraged by the local Police at some other time. After 15-days many people have not been able to file FIRs. There is no special arrangement by the administration for filing FIRs by affected ones, security of victims and protection of witness. Even the District authority is not allowing the Civil Society to help in providing legal aids to these hapless people, while the perpetrators of the violence are moving freely and intimidating the poor adivasis and dalits.

In the meantime, the Sangh Parivar prepared a list of about 140 people from Christian community alleging them to be the killers of Laxmanananda without any substantial proof and distributing it among its supporters with a purpose to punish them in case the Government fails to do the same and Mr.Singhal submitted the list to the CM. It has created danger for the lives of these people. The 'rule of the Sangh Parivar' overpowers the 'rule of law'. Immediately after the killing of Laxmanananda, disregarding the views of the Police DG, CM; they declared the Christian Community as responsible for the crime and also they announced the punishment that the 'Hindus would react severely'. And also they implemented the punishment by killing women-men, lynching disabled persons and children, burning Christian houses, shops, churches. The Sangh leaders decided not to undertake autopsy of the bodies of Laxmanananda and his disciples, the Administration obeyed it. The Sangh and BJP made the Government not to go for CBI enquiry. The VHP leaders expressed unhappiness over the investigation into the killing of Swami Laxmanananda by the Crime Branch and alleged that the Government was shielding the culprits. Eighteen days after the death of the Swami police are yet to identify the killers, he said. But they did not show slightest interest about the killing of innocent people subsequently and also they do not want it to be given to the CBI for enquiry. Then, what should we expect now from the Constitutional authorities, opposition political parties and civil society??

(The write-up is based on media reports and field information.)

Countercurrents.org
http://www.countercurrents.org/panda180908.htm
 

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