Not satisfied with Modi government, social structure of country badly affected in one year:JIH

By TCN News,

New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on Saturday expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the BJP government at the centre and said the Narendra Modi government has "failed rather miserably on almost every front" in its first year.

Addressing monthly press conference at the headquarters of Jamaat here in New Delhi, Nusrat Ali, Vice President of Jamaat said: "We are not satisfied with his one year performance. Communal tension has increased across the country – incidents in Atali village of Haryana and Nagaur district in Haryana – are the latest example."

JIH office bearers during a four day session of the Central Advisory Council

One year of Modi government

"During the last one year the social structure of the country has been badly affected and the communal atmosphere in the country has been spoiled totally. Provocative statements, venomous slogans and communal riots have poisoned the atmosphere in the country," said Jamaat in a resolution passed at the end of 4-day session of its highest advisory body Central Advisory Council. A copy of the 3-page resolutions on national and international issues was provided to media persons at the press conference.

Jamaat said the BJP government is executing its saffron anti-minority agenda.

Jamaat said it is "concerned that the BJP dispensation has started working fast on its real agenda. Attempts at ghar wapsi, allegations of love jihad, the demand to give the Gita the status of national book, attempt to drop the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Constitution of the country and the constant attacks on mosques and churches have grown the feeling of insecurity in minorities."

Imposition of one religious culture on the country

"During the last one year many communal incidents, small or big, erupted in the length and breadth of the country, the process of which is going on. Saffronisation of education is on in a planned manner, whereby Surya Namaskar, Gita Parvachan, Saraswati Vandana and Yoga are being implemented in schools. On the other hand, extraordinary modifications are being effected in the system of education and textbooks which has put a question mark on the cultural and religious freedom."

While condemning attempts of BJP to impose one religious culture on the country, Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary General of Jamaat, mentioned the recent order of BJP government of Rajasthan whereby it made Suraya Namaskar and Saraswati Vandana compulsory in schools.

"What is dangerous is imposition of a particular culture on all. Such things have been practiced by a section of the society but they were never made compulsory for all. Kindly do not impose one religious culture on all," he urged the government.

Giving a brief detail about Jamaat's plan to counter the saffron moves to vitiate communal harmony in the country, Nusrat Ali said: "Jamaat will set up Sadbhavana Manch at lower levels across the country. A team comprising religious leaders from different religions will jointly visit areas to strengthen communal harmony. Jamaat will promote and expand Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity (a body which Jamaat had formed two decades ago)."

When asked about PM Modi's proposed visit to Israel, Jamaat leader Nusrat Ali said: "Jamaat is sad to hear about his Israel visit but not surprised. We oppose his visit. We also opposed the growing strategic relations between India and Israel. We will harm our own country by making relations with Israel."

SBI Shariah Mutual Fund

On the postponement of SBI Shariah Mutual Fund, Jamaat said: "The opportunity the Minority population and those living on the borderline were getting to invest their savings was rescinded. The NRIs living abroad especially in Gulf countries who were waiting for this Fund restlessly and wanted to participate in the construction and development of the country were deprived of this opportunity." Jamaat demanded the Government to issue forthwith this suspended Mutual Fund.

Commenting on the issue, T Arif Ali, Vice President of Jamaat said: "The government should take a political decision about allowing Islamic banking and opening interest-free windows at commercial banks in India.

Dalits Media Watch

News Updates 18.06.15

Two youths booked for raping Dalit minor in UP- Mid Day

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/two-youths-booked-for-raping-dalit-minor-in-up/16301173

Dalit's alleged eviction from land sparks protest - The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/dalits-alleged-eviction-from-land-sparks-protest/article7326127.ece

Maraikulam Dalits feel threatened - The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/maraikulam-dalits-feel-threatened-by-caste-hindu-youths/article7327736.ece

NHRC Seeks Report on Kandhamal Kidney Sale - The New Indian Express

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/NHRC-Seeks-Report-on-Kandhamal-Kidney-Sale/2015/06/18/article2873021.ece

NHRC orders action against headmistress for illtreating dalit girls - The Times Of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/NHRC-orders-action-against-headmistress-for-illtreating-dalit-girls/articleshow/47713773.cms

NCSC chairman to visit Balangir today - Nyoooz

http://www.nyoooz.com/bhubaneswar/129802/ncsc-chairman-to-visit-balangir-today

Dalit outfit pays homage to Ashe - The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dalit-outfit-pays-homage-to-ashe/article7327748.ece?ref=tpnews

Action against attack on Dalits sought - The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/action-against-attack-on-dalits-sought/article7328188.ece?ref=tpnews

Please Watch:

Dalits & Media: Concerns & Lacuna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwK8YOoa66Y

Note: Please find attachment for DMW Hindi (PDF)

Mid Day

Two youths booked for raping Dalit minor in UP

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/two-youths-booked-for-raping-dalit-minor-in-up/16301173

By PTI |Posted 2 hours

Ghaziabad: A 16-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly raped by two youths in Modinagar Bhojpur police station area here, police said today.

The incident took place on June 13 in Chudiala village.

The girl had gone to the fields to relieve herself when the two youths Vicky and Atul gangraped her, Bhojpur Station House Officer Dalchand said.

When she resisted and tried to escape, the accused thrashed her, he said. A case has been registered against the duo, who are absconding.

The Hindu

Dalit's alleged eviction from land sparks protest

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/dalits-alleged-eviction-from-land-sparks-protest/article7326127.ece

Ravikumar Naraboli

Hundreds of activists under the banner of Karnataka Rajya Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Krantikari) staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner's office here in Yadgir on Wednesday and demanded to stop the construction of Kittura Rani Channamma Hostel in Kodekal village in Surpur taluk of Yadgir district immediately.

They said that hostel is coming up in the 4.29 acres of land situated in survey number 108/1 in Kodekal village.

The land originally belongs to the State Government and was cultivated by a Dalit farmer, Mallappa Bhimappa Madar for the past four decades. Mr. Madar had submitted an application to the Revenue Department requesting to allot the said land under Akrama-Sakrama scheme, on July 8, 2011 and said that the application is pending with the Department, they said.

Meanwhile, the hostel authorities and district administration have evicted Mr. Madar from the land and commenced the construction of hostel building with a complaint against him and other eight people, including his wife, when they resisted the act, protesters alleged.

The protesters demanded to withdraw the case filed against innocent Dalits and allot the land as requested, at the earliest.

The protestors also said that they would launch an indefinite hunger strike from June 26, if their demand is not met.

Mallikarjuna Kranti, district conveyer of organisation and others were present.

The Hindu

Maraikulam Dalits feel threatened

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/maraikulam-dalits-feel-threatened-by-caste-hindu-youths/article7327736.ece

Special Correspondent

Despite peace committee meetings held thrice in the presence of Arupukottai RDO and two FIRs registered by A. Mukkulam police.

Dalits of S. Maraikulam village in Kariapatti taluk are frightened by the unsavoury acts of some caste Hindu youths.

Despite peace committee meetings held thrice in the presence of Arupukottai RDO and two FIRs registered by A. Mukkulam police, normal life seems to have been by and large disturbed.

While public feel that the lethargy shown by the administrators had let the petty problems snowball into a major controversy, Dalits alleged that lack of firm police action had precipitated anger in the hamlet.

A delegation led by S. Karuppiah of Dalit Liberation Movement submitted a memorandum to the Collector here on Tuesday, praying for speedy action and justice.

Using their clout in the political and administrative circles, some of the caste Hindu youths in the hamlet had not only threatened Dalits with dire consequences but also attacked them with deadly weapons.

For instance, when a Dalit, Karuppu, had let his milch animal graze in a poromboke land, a group chased away the animal and attacked him. Karuppu (47) is convalescing at Arupukottai Government Hospital for the last one week.

Then the attackers went to the hamlet and damaged the dwellings of Amirtham (70) and Josudas (37) for allowing their milch animals graze in the lands.

A primary school run by the CSI in the locality was damaged and the food meant for children at the noon-meal centre was also destroyed by the gang, which identified itself as a caste Hindu group.

In another incident, when a youth, P. Ruparaj, was riding his two-wheeler along S. Maraikulam, caste Hindus objected to his riding the bike on the stretch, where caste Hindus predominantly lived.

Whenever the locals raised issues of discrimination with the district administration, a peace meeting was convened but the decisions taken at the meeting were not implemented due to the non-cooperation of caste Hindus, Mr. Karuppiah claimed, and alleged that Dalits lived with fear for their lives.

A senior police officer said that they had registered cases under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against many accused. Similarly, based on complaints from caste Hindus, a case had been booked against Dalits, including Ayyavoo, an AIADMK functionary, who was remanded in judicial custody.

Dalits have demanded quashing of the FIR registered against them as they claimed that it was fake and urged the State government to permit them to graze their milch animals in the hamlet, failing which they have threatened to vacate their dwellings.

The New Indian Express

NHRC Seeks Report on Kandhamal Kidney Sale

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/NHRC-Seeks-Report-on-Kandhamal-Kidney-Sale/2015/06/18/article2873021.ece

By Express News Service

Published: 18th June 2015 06:00 AM

BHUBANESWAR:Taking stern note of rising incidents of kidney sale in the State, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report from the Government on the latest happening where a poverty-stricken Dalit youth of Kandhamal parted with his organ for money.

The Commission has directed the Collector and the SP of Kandhamal to file their reports within four weeks. The directions came in response to a petition filed by rights activist Akhand demanding action against the people involved and direction to the Government to take strong steps to prevent such illegalities.

Kanhu Behera (20) had sold one of his kidneys to a man in Brahmapur for Rs 3.5 lakh in April this year. The kidney transplant had been done at a hospital in Sri Lanka.

Kanhu has himself admitted to have sold his organ for money to construct a house.

The only son of a daily wage earner Barun Behera of Harijan Sahi of Phulbani of Kandhamal district, he did odd jobs to help his father run the family.

He had to discontinue his studies due to acute poverty and decided to sell one of his kidneys after coming in contact with a broker to make a good house for his family.

"Due to acute poverty, a Dalit poor boy was forced to sell a kidney. His family has no BPL card nor provided with any Government assistance," Akhand alleged.

The State Government has also ordered a Crime Branch probe into the whole incident establishing the entire trail from tracking Kanhu and the recipient, middleman racket, involvement of local hospital or doctor, arranging passport and travel documents and visit to Sri Lanka for surgery.

Right Move

■ NHRC has directed Collector and SP of Kandhamal to file their reports within four weeks

■ The State Government has also ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident

■ Kanhu Behera had sold one of his kidneys to a man in Brahmapur for Rs 3.5 lakh in April this year

■ The kidney transplant had been done at a hospital in Sri Lanka

The Times Of India

NHRC orders action against headmistress for illtreating dalit girls

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/NHRC-orders-action-against-headmistress-for-illtreating-dalit-girls/articleshow/47713773.cms

TNN | Jun 18, 2015, 03.15 AM IST

MADURAI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked Tamil Nadu government to explain why 25,000 each should not be paid as relief to two girls of a panchayat union middle school in Tirunelveli, who were forced to clean the toilets by the headmistress of the school.

According to the state organiser of the Arundhadhiar Pengal Ezhuchi Iyakkam (APEI), K Maria Selvi, their organisation held regular Sunday classes called Arundhadhiar Ilan Kanal Sirar Mandram. There the school students were asked to give an account of their week's study and also if they had any problems related to it.

"It was there that the two students, Petchiamma, 11, and Sermakani, 12, came forward to tell us about the harassment they faced at the hands of the headmistress of Ettankulam Panchayat Middle School,'' she said. The girls were allegedly forced to scrub and wash the toilet used by the headmistress, Sathya Bama, who was allegedly biased against dalit students. They said the toilet had squirming worms and they refused to clean it, earning the ire of the headmistress.

The APEI staged demonstrations on April 8, 2013 and also sent petitions to the collector, chief educational officer, elementary educational officer and superintendent of police. The CEO conducted enquiries with the students and the teachers and the allegations were confirmed and the headmistress was transferred. Member of the commission, Justice D Murugesan, has recommended that the state government initiate action against the headmistress for her misconduct. Social justice department, which has to take action, should submit a report within six weeks.

Nyoooz

NCSC chairman to visit Balangir today

http://www.nyoooz.com/bhubaneswar/129802/ncsc-chairman-to-visit-balangir-today

NYOOOZ Bhubaneswar Thu,18 Jun 2015

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman Dr PL Punia is scheduled to visit Odisha on Thursday in order to look into the alleged gangrape and murder of a Balangir Dalit girl. NCSC Odisha State Coordinator Haladhar Sethy informed this in a statement on Wednesday. Sethy informed that he had visited Sargipali village under Balangir district's Khaprakhol police station where some youths had gangraped and murdered a matriculate girl of the village on May 22 after abducting her.

The police were yet to arrest the culprits. He said he met girl's father Arta Chhatria and other family members. Later, he met the Balangir SP, the District Welfare Officer and the departmental Director and urged them to take action against the culprits.

The Hindu

Dalit outfit pays homage to Ashe

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dalit-outfit-pays-homage-to-ashe/article7327748.ece?ref=tpnews

Special Correspondent

"Ashe ended oppressive measures against us"

For the first time in the history of independent India, a Dalit outfit paid floral tributes to Collector Robert William d' Escourt Ashe, who was assassinated by martyr Vanchinathan at Maniyachi Junction 104 years ago.

"Since this great Briton was against untouchability and recognised the Dalits as human beings even when the caste-ridden society took all-out measures to oppress them, we pay floral tributes to the slain Collector," justified members of Aathi Thamizhar Katchi.

As Ashe's suppressive measures collapsed VOC's Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company that posed a serious threat to the colonial rulers' maritime interests, Vanchinathan shot the then Collector of Tirunelveli point-blank at Maniyachi Railway Junction even as he was waiting along with his wife to board the Boat Mail.

Within the next few minutes, the young assassin sacrificed his life by shooting himself with the Belgium-made pistol.

Since then, a few outfits organise simple functions at Shencottah, the birthplace of Vanchinathan, and also at Maniyachi that was renamed Vaanchi Maniyachi later, remembering the supreme sacrifice. Even as people from various walks of life were paying floral tributes to the statue of Vanchinathan at Shencottah on Wednesday, a group of youths affiliated to Aathi Thamizhar Katchi paid 'veera vanakkam' to Ashe at his tomb on English Church premises opposite St. John's College, Palayamkottai.

"Collector Ashe recognised us and did whatever he could to put an end to the oppressive measures against us. Apart from the Britons, upper caste members were alone allowed to take bath in the Courtallam waterfalls and the idols of deities alone were washed in the waterfalls while all other castes were not permitted.

Ashe, who ensured equality in his office, put an end to this system and allowed everyone to take bath in the Courtallam waterfalls.

K.K. Kalaikannan, Aathi Thamizhar Katchi's Tirunelveli district secretary, led the youths.

The Hindu

Action against attack on Dalits sought

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/action-against-attack-on-dalits-sought/article7328188.ece?ref=tpnews

Staff Reporter

The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) demands action by police against those responsible for the attack on a Dalit family in Padmanabhapuram recently.

In a petition submitted to Superintendent of Police N. Manivannan on Wednesday, a team, comprising TNUEF district president K. Ganesan, district secretary Stalin Doss, the victims, alleged that Rajendra Prasad was verbally abused on caste lines by a few caste Hindus when he was about to enter a temple in Padmanabhapuram near Thuckalay.

He was allegedly denied entry into the temple by caste Hindus.

They used abusive language against Prasad's wife and parents, damaged things in their house, and attacked his family members.

Prasad and his family members got admitted to Thuckalay Government Hospital and lodged a complaint. It was alleged that Thuckalay police had registered cases favouring caste Hindus.

The TNUEF demanded the police to take action against the assailants under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

News monitored by Girish Pant & AJEET

इंसाफ कहां है?

आनंद तेलतुंबड़े

''यह अदालत बड़े अपराधियों के लिए सुरक्षित स्वर्ग बन गई है।''
-सर्वोच्च न्यायालय की न्यायमूर्ति बी.एस. चौहान और न्यायमूर्ति एस.ए. बोडबे की पीठ।[1]

भारत के संविधान की प्रस्तावना में बाकी चीजों के साथ 'सामाजिक, आर्थिक और राजनीतिक इंसाफ'शामिल है जो यकीनन आम जनता को दिया गया सबसे अहम आश्वासन है। लेकिन विरोधाभास यह है कि ज्यों-ज्यों हम 'विकास'के राजमार्ग पर आगे बढ़ रहे हैं, ये तेजी के साथ दूर होते चले जा रहे हैं। संविधान का पहला पन्ना भारतीय जनता के लिए एक कड़वा व्यंग्य बन गया है और संविधान का भाग चार, 'राज्य के नीति-निर्देशक तत्व', जो इस पर और भी जोर देते हैं कि देश के शासक किस तरह शासन करेंगे, सिवा 'पवित्र गाय'के प्रावधान को छोड़ कर एक मुर्दा दस्तावेज बन गया है। गरीब लोग, जो संवैधानिक रूप से इस मुल्क के मालिक हैं, इंसाफ के लिए तरसते हैं जबकि अमीर लोग अपराध करते हैं और वीवीआईपी की तरह बेधड़क घूमते हैं। पूरी की पूरी न्यायिक प्रक्रिया थैलीशाहों द्वारा अगवा कर ली गई है, जैसा कि इस मुल्क की सबसे बड़ी अदालत ने भी कबूल किया है:

''यह कहते हुए हमें अफसोस होता है कि अदालत का वक्त वरिष्ठ वकीलों और बड़े अपराधियों द्वारा इस्तेमाल किया जा रहा है...हम शपथ लेकर कह सकते हैं कि सिर्फ पांच फीसदी वक्त ही आम नागरिकों के लिए इस्तेमाल में आता है, जिनकी अपीलें 20 या 30 बरसों से इंतजार कर रही हैं...।'[2]

बदकिस्मती से यह बात सिर्फ वक्त तक ही सीमित नहीं है; यह गरीबों और मजलूमों के खिलाफ न्यायिक पूर्वाग्रहों की गहराई तक जाती है, जिन्हें इंसाफ की जरूरत सबसे ज्यादा है। एक ओर जब सरकार केइस पांव (न्यायपालिका) के बारे में कहा जा सकता है कि इसने दूसरे दोनों पांवों—विधायिका और कार्यपालिका —से बेहतर प्रदर्शन किया है, या ऐसा दिखता है क्योंकि लोग बेचारगी में इस पर भरोसा करते हैं, लेकिन अक्सर इंसाफ ही है जो नहीं मिल पाता। इसे साफ-साफ देखना हो कि कैसे इंसाफ को नकारा जाता है तो इसे दलितों, आदिवासियों और धार्मिक अल्पसंख्यकों के मामलों में देखा जा सकता है, और कैसे इसकी ज्यादती होती है तो इसे राजनेताओं, शोहरत वाले अपराधियोंऔर कॉरपोरेट घपलेबाजों के मामले में देखा जा सकता है। पिछले महीने जल्दी-जल्दी, एक के बाद एक आए दो फैसले, जो वैसे तो गैरमामूली नहीं थे, निश्चित रूप से इस बात को मजबूत करते हैं। दो अलग-अलग राज्यों  के उच्च न्यायालयों द्वारा दिए गए फैसलों से जुड़े ये मामले थे सलमान खान का 'हिट एंड रन केस'जिसने इंसाफ पर अमीरों के असर को जाहिर किया और जे. जयललिता का 'आमदनी से अधिक संपत्ति का मामला'जो इंसाफ पर राजनीति के असर का इशारा करता है।

सलमान बनाम साईबाबा

'जमानत कायदा है, अपवाद नहीं', विचाराधीन कैदियों को जमानत देने के मामले में सर्वोच्च न्यायालय की हिदायत यह है। लेकिन अदालतों द्वारा किस तरह इसे भेदभाव के साथ अमल में लाया जाता है इसकी मिसालों की भरमार है। पैसे वाले अपराधी भारी-भरकम वकीलों को लगाते हैं जो उनके लिए गिरफ्तार होने से पहले या इसके फौरन बाद जमानत हासिल कर लेते हैं और फिर इसकी अवधि को जितना संभव हो लंबा खींचा जाता है। जैसा सलमान के मामले में हुआ। तब तक ज्यादातर गवाह मर जाते हैं या मरने की हालत में पहुंचा दिए जाते हैं। अपराध को साबित करने वाले जो भी सबूत मौजूद होते हैं वे या तो हल्के बना दिए जाते हैं या मिटा दिए जाते हैं। तफ्तीश करने वाली एजेंसी के बारे में जितना कम कहा जाए, उतना बेहतर है, जो कि इस मामले में पुलिस है। बॉलीवुड के दबंग, सलमान ने 28 सितंबर 2002 की आधी रात के बाद, बिना लाइसेंस के, नशे की हालत में अपनी टोयटा लैंड क्रूजर को उन लोगों के ऊपर दौड़ा दिया जो सड़क की पटरी पर सो रहे थे। एक आदमी मारा गया और दूसरे चार गंभीर रूप से जख्मी हुए। सलमान मौके से भाग गए और बाद में एक वकील के घर से गिरफ्तार हुए। हालांकि वह ऐसे 'दंडनीय कत्ल जो हत्या के बराबर नहीं'था के लिए पकड़े गए, इसलिए उन्हें जमानत मिल गई और उन्होंने अगले 13 वर्ष एक सेलिब्रिटी की जिंदगी जी। जब आखिरकार उनका कसूर साबित हुआ और उन्हें पांच साल कैद की सजा मिली, तब कुछ घंटों के भीतर ही बंबई उच्च न्यायालय ने उनके वकील की अर्जी सुनी और उन्हें सुपरसोनिक गति से जमानत दे दी गई। यह वह अदालत है जहां मामूली इंसानों को अपना मामला सुनवाई के लिए आने के लिए बरसों तक इंतजार करना पड़ता है। अपने आप में जमानत नहीं, बल्कि उसको दिए जाने का तरीका न्यायपालिका के उस रवैए को उजागर करता है, जो वह अमीरों के प्रति अपनाती है और इसके उलट गरीबों से नफरत करती है। 

इसके बरअक्स आप डॉ. जी.एन. साईबाबा के मामले को रखें, जो 90 फीसदी अक्षमता वाले शरीर के साथ व्हीलचेयर पर चलने वाले दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के एक कॉलेज में प्रोफेसर हैं। वह कुछ साल पहले तक सिर्फ अपने हाथों से रेंगते थे और वह बिना मदद के जिंदा नहीं रह सकते हैं, उन्हें बार-बार जमानत देने को नकारा जा रहा है, जबकि उनकी गिरती हुई सेहत को लेकर सार्वजिनक तौर पर काफी चिंताएं हैं। वर्षों के शारीरिक तौर पर पडऩे वाले प्रभाव ने उनके दिल और फेफड़ों पर गंभीर नुकसान पहुंचाया है और यह लगातार उनकी रीढ़ (स्पाइनल सिस्टम) को नुकसान पहुंचा रहा है। इसके अलावा, खबर है कि जेल में अनियमित और अनुपयुक्त इलाज ने, जिसके लिए उनके वकीलों को लगातार जद्दोजहद करनी पड़ती है, उनके दोनों गुर्दों को खराब कर दिया है। साईबाबा ने कभी अपने राजनीतिक नजरिए को छिपाया नहीं और जैसा कि पुलिस दावा करती है, उनके माओवादियों के साथ संपर्क भी हो सकते हैं, लेकिन यह अकल्पनीय है कि उन्होंने कोई अपराध किया है। संविधान आस्था रखने और बोलने की आजादी देता है और सर्वोच्च न्यायालय ने यह साफ-साफ कहा है कि महज किसी प्रतिबंधित संगठन के साथ जान-पहचान होना या महज उसके उद्देश्यों से सहानुभूति रखना कोई अपराध नहीं है। एक प्रतिबंधित संगठन का सदस्य होना भी अपराध नहीं है, जब तक व्यक्ति संगठन की गैर कानूनी गतिविधियों में भागीदारी न करे। पुलिस ने अब तक रत्तीभर सबूत मुहैया नहीं किया है कि साईबाबा माओवादियों की किसी गैरकानूनी गतिविधि में शरीक थे, तो जब कोई ऐसा इंसान भयावह गैरकानूनी गतिविधि निरोधक कानून (यूएपीए) के तहत गिरफ्तार हो जाता है और कुख्यात नागपुर जेल की एकाकी अंडा-सेल में कैद कर लिया जाता है तो इसका क्या मतलब है? जब न्यायपालिका सलमान जैसे लोगों को लगातार जमानतें देती है लेकिन साईबाबा को देने से लगातार इनकार करती है, जो गरीबों की हिमायत में बोलते हैं तो इसका क्या मतलब है? क्या वो यह सोचती है कि अगर उन्होंने एक अपराध किया है तो वह जमानत तोड़कर भाग जाएंगे और कसूरवार साबित होने पर सजा से बच जाएंगे?

अम्मा की रिहाई

11 मई को कर्नाटक उच्च न्यायालय ने भाजपा के सुब्रमण्यम स्वामी द्वारा जून 1996 में दायर किए गए 'आमदनी से अधिक संपत्ति'रखने के मामले में विशेष अदालत द्वारा जे. जयललिता को कसूरवार साबित किए जाने को पलट दिया। मुकदमा 19 बरस तक चला और इस बीच सर्वोच्च न्यायालय द्वारा इसे चेन्नई से बेंगलुरु भेज दिया गया। विशेष अदालत ने 27 सितंबर 2014 को फैसला सुनाया, जिसने जयललिता और उनके तीन सहयोगियों, शशिकला नटराजन, इलावरसी और वी.एन. सुधाकरण को कसूरवार पाया। उन्हें चार साल की साधारण कैद और जयललिता पर 100 करोड़ का जुर्माना और बाकियों में से हरेक पर 10 करोड़ का जुर्माना लगाया गया। जयललिता तीसरी बार कसूरवार साबित हुई थीं और दूसरी बार उन्हें मुख्यमंत्री का पद छोडऩा पड़ा था। सभी चारों कसूरवार साबित व्यक्तियों को गिरफ्तार करके पोरापन्ना अग्रहार केंद्रीय जेल में रखा गया। उनकी जमानत की अर्जी कर्नाटक उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा खारिज कर दी गई, लेकिन इसके बाद सर्वोच्च न्यायालय में उसे मंजूर करके जमानत दे दी गई। कर्नाटक उच्च न्यायालय ने उनकी जमानत की अर्जी पर फैसला करते हुए उन सभी को सभी मामलों में बरी कर दिया। अब जयललिता ने औपचारिक तरीके से राज्य की मुख्यमंत्री का पद संभाल भी लिया है। 

खबरों के मुताबिक यह रिहाई जज द्वारा संपत्तियों और देनदारियों का गलत हिसाब लगाए जाने पर आधारित है। अगर इस मामले में शामिल जायदाद की सिर्फ फेहरिश्त ही पढ़ ली जाए (चेन्नई में फार्म हाउस और बंगला, तमिलनाडु में खेतिहर जमीन, हैदराबाद में फार्म हाउस, नीलगिरी पहाडिय़ों में चायबागान, बहुमूल्य गहने, औद्योगिक शेड, जमा नकदी, बैंकों में निवेश और लक्जरी कारों का सेट; 800 किलो चांदी, 28 किलो सोना, 750 जोड़ी जूते, 10, 500 साडिय़ां, 91 घडिय़ां और चेन्नई के भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक की तिजोरी में रखी गई बहुमूल्य चीजें) तो कोई भी साफ कह सकता है कि यह भ्रष्टाचार का मामला है। लेकिन अदालत को यह कहने में 18 साल लगे और उच्च न्यायालय को उसे पलटने में महज एक साल। इस फैसले का तर्क भाजपा की राजनीतिक जरूरत से जुड़ा हुआ है। लोकसभा में 37 और ऊपरी सदन (राज्य सभा) में 11 सांसदों वाली जयललिता भाजपा के लिए अनमोल सहयोगी हैं, जिसके लिए पहले उन्हें भ्रष्टाचार के आरोपों से छुटकारा दिलाना जरूरी है। और जब ऐसा कर दिया गया, तब किसी और ने नहीं, बल्कि नरेंद्र मोदी ने सबसे पहले उन्हें मुबारकबाद देने के लिए फोन किया। भाजपा, राज्य सभा में अपनी कमजोरी से पार पाने के लिए बेकरार है जैसा कि उत्तर प्रदेश में मुलायम को लुभाने और पश्चिम बंगाल में ममता से दोस्ती बनाने की इसकी कोशिशों में देखा जा सकता है। ऐसे हालात में जयललिता पर से दाग हटाने के लिए जज यह अंदाजा लगाते हुए हिसाब में कुछ गोलमाल कर सकेकि इसको चुनौती नहीं दी जाएगी। सुब्रमण्यम स्वामी ने भी साफ कर दिया है कि वह कुछ नहीं करेंगे। अगर राज्य (कर्नाटक) की कांग्रेस सरकार ऐसा करती है, तो फैसला होने में लंबा समय लगेगा।

न्यायिक आजादी

हमें सिखाया गया है कि भारतीय लोकतंत्र तीन बराबर और स्वतंत्र पैरों पर खड़ा है: विधायिका, कार्यपालिका और न्यायपालिका, जो एक दूसरे के कामों पर अंकुश रखने वाली संवैधानिक व्यवस्था का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं। आजादी की यह सैद्धांतिक धारणा, सिद्धांत के रूप में अपने आप में ही समस्याजनक है क्योंकि जो सरकार सदन में बहुमत वाले दल द्वारा बनाई जाती है, वह विधायिका और कार्यपालिका के विलय का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है; यह कार्यपालक शक्तियों को अपने पास रखती है और नौकरशाही पर सीधा नियंत्रण करती है, जबकि यह विधायिका के काम भी साथ में जारी रखती है; उनका बेमेल वजूद मायने नहीं रखता। एक अरसे से, सबसे ज्यादा वोट हासिल करने वाले उम्मीदवार को विजेता घोषित करने वाली हमारी चुनावी प्रणाली द्वारा बनाए गए राजनीतिक आदर्श ने दलों के बीच के बुनियादी अंतर को धुंधला कर दिया है और नौकरशाही ने विधायिका (राजनेताओं) के आदेश को लागू करना सीख लिया है। अशोक खेमका जैसे इक्के-दुक्के उदाहरण असल में इस पूरी गतिकी को जाहिर करते हैं। जो कुछ भी आजादी मौजूद थी वह न्यायपालिका में थी, जो संविधान की सर्वोच्च संरक्षक और कानून के शासन की गारंटी करने वाली है। यह कार्यपालिका और विधायिका के कामों को संविधान द्वारा दिए गए अख्तियार से बाहर करार देकर खारिज कर सकती थी। देरियों और मौके-बेमौके होने वाले विवादों के बावजूद, भारतीय जनता इंसाफ के लिए ज्यादातर न्यायिक व्यवस्था पर भरोसा करती थी। 

मौजूदा संसद ने संवैधानिक (99वें संशोधन) अधिनियम, 2014 के तहत राष्ट्रीय न्यायिक नियुक्ति आयोग का गठन किया है जो 13 अप्रैल 2015 से काम करने लगा है। आयोग ने जजों की नियुक्ति और तबादले के लिए पहले के कॉलेजियम सिस्टम की जगह ली है। जबकि सिद्धांत में आयोग के अध्यक्ष भारत के सर्वोच्च न्यायाधीश होंगे और सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के दो और जज इसके सदस्य होंगे; केंद्रीय कानून मंत्री इसके पदासीन सदस्य होंगे और दो गणमान्य व्यक्तियों का मनोनयन प्रधान न्यायाधीश, प्रधानमंत्री और विपक्ष के नेता की सदस्यता वाली समिति करेगी, जिनमें से किन्हीं भी दो सदस्यों को समिति के फैसले पर वीटो का इस्तेमाल कर सकने का प्रावधान है। इन मनोनीत दो सदस्यों में से एक अनुसूचित जाति या अनुसूचित जनजाति या अन्य पिछड़ा वर्ग या अल्पसंख्यक समुदाय या एक महिला होंगी। ऊपर से यह बदलाव ठीक दिखता है, लेकिन इसने बुनियादी तौर पर राजनीति के लिए जगह बना दी है और इसने न्यायपालिका की आजादी को संभावित रूप से नुकसान पहुंचाया है। आयोग ने बस काम करना शुरू ही किया है लेकिन इसका असर उन फैसलों में दिखने लगा है जो सत्ताधारी राजनीति को फायदा पहुंचाते दिख रहे हैं।

अनुवाद: रेयाज उल हक

नोट्स:

1. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2449211/Top-judges-admit-Indias-justice-tragedy-common-citizens-ignored-favour-high-profile-cases.html#ixzz3ajoMZPpZपर उपलब्ध। आखिरी बार 20 मई 2015 को देखा गया.
2. वही.

प्रोपेगेंडा, बिकी हुई खबरें, मीडियाः एक अदृश्य सत्ता

भारत अभिजातों का लोकतंत्र हैः अरुंधति रॉय

भारत सरकार आदिवासी इलाकों में सेना के आधार कैम्प बनाने जा रही है. ऐसे दो ट्रेनिंग कैम्प उड़ीसा के रायगढ़ा व छत्तीसगढ़ के नारायणपुर जिलों में जल्दी ही स्थापित करने की योजना है, जिसके लिए बड़ी मात्रा में आदिवासी जमीन का अधिग्रहण किया जाने वाला है. अबूझमाड़ के कुल क्षेत्रफल 4000 वर्ग किलोमीटर क्षेत्र का 600 वर्ग किमी सेना को बेस कैम्प के लिए सौंपा जा रहा है. इतने बड़े इलाके में सेना के आने से स्थानीय लोगों का विस्थापन व जंगल की तबाही होना तय है. सेना के अनुसार ही ये तथाकथित कैम्प मिजोरम व कांकेर के जंगल युद्ध प्रशिक्षण स्कूल के माडल पर ही स्थापित किये जा रहे हैं. सरकार के इस कदम का विरोध करने के लिए देश के कुछ जाने-माने बुद्धिजीवी और सामाजिक-राजनीतिक कार्यकर्ताओं ने शनिवार को गांधी शांति प्रतिष्ठान में एक बैठक की.फोरम अगेंस्ट वार ऑन पीपुल के तहत आयोजित इस आम सभा में लोगों ने एकस्वर से इस जनविरोधी दमनकारी कदम का विरोध किया और यह आशंका भी जतायी कि इसके जरिए सरकार संघर्षरत जनता के खिलाफ सेना के औपचारिक इस्तेमाल का रास्ता साफ कर रही है.

इस मौके पर अर्थशास्त्री अमित भादुड़ी, कवि मदन कश्यप, लेखिका अरुंधति राय, पूर्व न्यायाधीश राजेंद्र सच्चर, सीपीआई के महासचिव एबी वर्धन, मेनस्ट्रीम के संपादक सुमित चक्रवर्ती और समयांतर के संपादक पंकज बिष्ट समेत इस सभा में शामिल सभी वक्ताओं ने यह मांग की कि जनता के खिलाफ सभी युद्धों को तत्काल बंद किया जाए, कंपनियों के साथ किये गये सारे करारों को सार्वजनिक करके रद्द किया जाये तथा सारे अर्धसैनिक बलों को वापस बुलाया जाये.

हाशिया  पर इस कार्यक्रम की रिकॉर्डिंग अलग-अलग हिस्सों में पोस्ट की जायेगी. इस सिलसिले में पेश है जानी-मानी लेखिका अरुंधति रॉय का वक्तव्य. इसमें अरुंधति ने सरकार के इस दमनकारी कदम का आरंभ से ही मजबूत विरोध करने और इसे शुरू न होने देने के लिए संघर्ष करने का आह्वान किया है.

सुनिए.

सरकारी पैसे पर फ्री थिएटर नहीं चल सकताः बादल सरकार से एक बातचीत

बादल सरकार के निधन के बाद शम्सुल इसलाम ने मेल के जरिए सरकार से की गयी अपनी एक बातचीत की कटिंग भेजी है, जो द संडे टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया के 11 अक्तूबर, 1992 संस्करण में छपी थी. हम यहां इसका अनुवाद पेश कर रहे हैं. इसे हम यहां बादल सरकार के रंगमंच पर जारी बहस के सिलसिले के रूप में पोस्ट कर रहे हैं. इसके पहले हाशिया ने अपने नजरिये के रूप में ब्रह्म प्रकाश द्वारा बादल सरकार का एक आलोचनात्मक आकलन पेश किया था.

आपने तीसरा रंगमंच के सिद्धांत की शुरुआत की और आप अपनी राय बदलते रहे हैं. अब आप फ्री थिएटर को कैसे देखते हैं?

यह सही है, एक बार मैंने तीसरा रंगमंच को शहरी और ग्रामीण रंगमंच के मेल (संश्लेषण) से बने रंगमंच के रूप में सोचा था. लेकिन इस पर काम करते हुए मैंने अपने विचारों को सुधारा. मुझे लगा कि अगर तीसरा रंगमंच को एक वैकल्पिक रंगमंच होना था तो यह किसी का भी संश्लेषण नहीं हो सकता था. पहले मैं यांत्रिक नजरिये का शिकार हो गया था. मैं इस नतीजे पर पहुंचा कि तीसरा रंगमंच को फ्री थिएटर होने के लिए उसे महंगा, स्थिर और व्यवसायिकरण का शिकार होने से बचना चाहिए. इसे दर्शकों से संवाद बनाने की कोशिश करनी चाहिए.
एक बार जब आप पारंपरिक मंच नाटक (प्रोसीनियम थिएटर) की चीजों से पार पा लेते हैं तो आपको मुख्यतः मानव देह पर निर्भर रहना पड़ता है. इसकी क्षमताओं को गहरे प्रशिक्षण के जरिये विकसित किया जाना चाहिए. फ्री थिएटर को बीते हुए समय की तरह नहीं लिया जा सकता. हमारे लिए किसी कहानी को कहने के बजाय रंग अनुभव अधिक प्रासंगिक होता है. किसी भी हालत में भाषा पर पूरी तरह निर्भर रहने के बजाय शारीरिक अनुभव कहीं अधिक असरदार होता है.

आलोचक महसूस करते हैं कि आपका रंगमंच भाषा या बोले गये शब्दों की कीमत पर महज एक शारीरिक रंगमंच है. वे यह भी कहते हैं कि शारीरिक प्रदर्शन पर अधिक निर्भरता आपके रंगमंच को एक करतब देखने के अनुभव में बदल देती है, जो सिर्फ मध्यवर्ग के दर्शकों को ही संप्रेषणीय होता है. आपका इन टिप्पणियों पर क्या जवाब है?

ऐसी बातें केवल वहीं लोग कहेंगे जिन्होंने कभी हमारे प्रदर्शन नहीं देखे, और जो रंगमंच के बारे में कुछ भी जानना नहीं चाहते. वे हमारी तारीफ भी करते हैं तो गलत वजहों से. लेकिन इस देश में ऐसे ही होता हैः बिना कुछ भी जाने लोग फैसले देते हैं.
 

असल में हम उसका उल्टा करते हैं, जिसका आरोप हम पर लगाया जाता है. हम थीम के नाट्यालेख से शुरू करते हैं और फिर फॉर्म को विकसित (एक्सप्लोर) करते हैं. हमारे लिए कथ्य रंगमंच का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण पहलू है. अनेक लोग फॉर्म से शुरू करते हैं और फिर एक विषय या नाट्यालेख को काट-छांट कर उसमें फिट कर देते हैं. हम ऐसा कभी नहीं करते.
 

इन आलोचकों के साथ एक और समस्या है. वे यह मानना पसंद करते हैं कि आम आदमी किसी प्रस्तुति की बारीकियों पर अपनी राय नहीं रख सकता, कि यह कुलीनों-अभिजातों का विशेषाधिकार है. हमारा अनुभव है कि आम आदमी नाटक के प्रतीकों, भंगिमाओं और आत्मा को उन तथाकथित शहरी बुद्धिजीवियों से अधिक समझता है.

आप अपनी रंगमंचीय कार्यशालाओं की लोकप्रियता के बारे में क्या कहेंगे?

मेरी कार्यशालाओं में कभी भी नाट्यालेख या नाटक पर काम नहीं होता. यह पूरी तरह बेकार होगा. खुल कर कहूं तो मेरी कार्यशालाओं का ऐसा कोई नतीजा नहीं निकलता. उनका कोई अंतिम नतीजा होता ही नहीं. क्योंकि मैं मानता हूं कि एक रंगमंचीय कार्यशाला को भागीदारों को रचनात्मक होने में मददगार होना चाहिए. भागीदारों को रंगमंच को जीना चाहिए और उनकी जिम्मेदारी कही गयी बातों की नकल करना या उसे मान लेना भर नहीं होना चाहिए. रंगमंच पर अकेले निर्देशक का अधिकार नहीं होना चाहिए.
 

इस प्रक्रिया में क्या बातें निकल कर आती हैं?

उत्तर भारत में तो अधिक नहीं. दिल्ली में मैंने एनएसडी, संभव, एसआरसी रंगमंडल के लिए कार्यशालाएं की हैं. लेकिन इनमें से कोई फ्री थिएटर नहीं करता. आंध्र प्रदेश, तमिलनाडु और पश्चिम बंगाल में इसका उल्टा है. इन राज्यों में फ्री थिएटर एक आंदोलन की शक्ल ले रहा है. इन कार्यशालाओं ने पाकिस्तान के रंगकर्मियों तक की एक फ्री थिएटर आंदोलन शुरू करने में मदद की है.

संस्कृति को राजकीय संरक्षण दिए जाने के मुद्दे पर आपका क्या विचार है?

हम इसके पूरी तरह खिलाफ हैं. हमने कभी भी राज्य या इसकी एजेंसियों से अनुदान या किसी मदद के लिए आवेदन नहीं किया है. अगर हम संरक्षण की मांग करना शुरू करेंगे तो फिर फ्री थिएटर बेमानी हो जाएगा. 20 सालों का हमारा अनुभव रहा है कि आप राज्य के अनुदान के बिना भी जनता के स्वैच्छिक योगदान के जरिए नाटक कर सकते हैं.
 

वे लोग कितने सही हैं जो यह मानते हैं कि आप मंच नाटकों (प्रोसीनियम) को खत्म करना चाहते हैं?

अगर मैंने कोशिश भी की होती तो तय है कि मैं सफल नहीं हुआ होता. यह तो एक मिथक है जिसका प्रचार किया गया है. सही बात यह है कि मैं मंच नाटकों में भरोसा नहीं करता और न इस पर काम करता हूं. मैं ऐसा क्यों करूंगा जब मैं इसे प्रासंगिक ही नहीं मानता? लेकिन इसका मतलब यह नहीं है कि जो लोग मंच नाटक करते हैं वे मेरे दुश्मन हैं.

आपके नाटकों में बार बार खुदकुशी क्यों एक थीम के रूप में आती है?

ऐसा मेरे 50 नाटकों में से केवल तीन नाटकों में हुआ है- पगला घोड़ा, एवम इंद्रजीत और बाकी इतिहास में. यह एक गलत सामान्यीकरण है. और कृपया ध्यान दीजिए कि इन नाटकों में खुदकुशी होने के बावजूद वे निराशावादी नाटक नहीं हैं. वे जीवन से भरे हुए हैं. उनमें खुदकुशी का प्रचार नहीं है. ऐसा इसलिए है क्योंकि यह नाटक के ढांचे में फिट बैठता है.

अनुवादः हाशिया । मूल बातचीत की कटिंग यहां से डाउनलोड करें

Who's afraid of LaMo?

The government's defence of the indefensible underlines the importance of being Lalit Modi.

In January 2013, a single bench of the high court had upheld the cancellation of Lalit Modi's passport and he had appealed against it. His team had been led by Mukul Rohatgi and included Swaraj's daughter.

Written by Brinda Karat |Updated: June 19, 2015 12:01 am

The BJP brand of the politics of crony capitalism has many ambassadors. Today, its faces are Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje, both guilty of gross impropriety in their dealings with an individual wanted for questioning for multiple alleged violations of Indian laws. Neither has any right to continue in office.

The Lalit Modi scandal has blown sky high all the tall claims of the Narendra Modi government about transparency, good governance and zero tolerance for corruption. Here is a man accused of money laundering and violations of tax laws in a position to blackmail top leaders of the government and the BJP and some in other parties too.

When Lalit Modi declared "war" on those against him, after The Sunday Times revelations, alarm bells rang in the homes and offices of many top politicians across parties, since Lalit Modi is in control of more information than they would like revealed. His first target, theRajasthan chief minister, who reportedly fell out with him, has learnt this to her cost.

The links are through the murky dealings in the world of Indian cricket, a sport so loved by the Indian public, yet so dirtied by the greed of a bunch of businessmen in league with top politicians. Various cricket boards have been converted into cosy clubs with top politicians and businessmen functioning outside the ambit of regulation and in control of huge sums of money. Among such politicians was the thenchief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, and his Man Friday, present BJP chief Amit Shah. In 2009, Narendra Modi was elected president of the cash-rich Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and Shah was elected vice president. Narendra Modi resigned in May 2014 after he became prime minister and Shah was elected in his place.

During the IPL bids, there were reports about Narendra Modi-Lalit Modi discussions to allegedly promote the bid of businessman Gautam Adani for the Ahmedabad-based team. Adani was the main promoter of the GCA. The reports hit hard enough to warrant a reply from Shah. He had said the allegation that then IPL commissioner Lalit Modi had met Narendra Modi to work out the strategy for the success of the Ahmedabad team in the IPL bidding was "politically motivated and baseless". According to a story in The Hindu (April 16, 2010), Shah also refuted reports that "Lalit Modi had assisted the GCA and its main promoter and Ahmedabad-based businessman, Gautam Adani, with the bidding process for the Ahmedabad-based team… Shah also refuted Lalit Modi's reported statement that some members of the Rendezvous consortium (of Shashi Tharoor fame) had met Narendra Modi for transferring the team from Kochi to Ahmedabad. He agreed that some promoters did meet the chief minister". So both Narendra Modi and Shah have delved deep into "cricket politics", of which, at one time, Lalit Modi was the king.

The movement of these well-oiled wheels within wheels also explains the utterly shameful defence of the indefensible by the BJP in the Lalit Modi scandal. The wrongdoings of the Narendra Modi government are glaring. First, when the PM declared war on corruption and vowed to bring wrongdoers to justice, how did the case of Lalit Modi escape him? Did his government ever move for the extradition of Lalit Modi? Here is a man who, according to the finance minister, has been charged on 16 counts by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Yet, there has been no attempt to bring him back. This failure, or deliberate omission, provides the framework for the actions of Swaraj, who went a step further and, disregarding all rules, reversed the 2010 decision to cancel his travel papers and gave the go-ahead to the UK without even consulting her own ministry officials or the finance ministry.

The story of "compassionate grounds" indicates the rot in the system. If there is a case for consideration, surely the external affairs ministry has its own system for dealing with it. Was any application made through normal channels about the urgency of his case that had been rejected and which, therefore, had to come before the minister?

In January 2013, a single bench of the high court had upheld the cancellation of Lalit Modi's passport and he had appealed against it. His team had been led by Mukul Rohatgi and included Swaraj's daughter. Her family members continued in Lalit Modi's legal defence. Here is a clear conflict of interest. Moreover, Swaraj acted before the division bench hearing Lalit Modi's appeal gave its judgment. This could also constitute contempt of court and subversion of the processes of justice. In August 2014, the division bench upheld Lalit Modi's appeal and restored his travel papers. By then, Rohatgi had become attorney general. There was no appeal made against the order.

Since it is the ED that was the main interested party, why did Arun Jaitley not step in then? If there were differences between the MEA and the ED, as is being put out by Jaitley in defence of his non-intervention, what is the mechanism to deal with it? The PM had scoffed at the UPA style of ministries working at loggerheads, but what happened in this case?

The judgment sets dangerous precedents for other wrongdoers, as it holds that crimes such as those Lalit Modi is accused of, like Fema violations, do not "fall foul of public order". Further, that the revocation of travel papers is "an impingement on rights of expression as it restricts travel to conferences, etc". Just on grounds of precedent, the ED should have fought to make an appeal.

The inner war among BJP leaders is well known and described by a cricketer of old, Kirti Azad, in his tweet about the "asteen ka saap". But if Amit Shah comes out strongly in support of Swaraj today, if Jaitley talks of collective responsibility, if Narendra Modi maintains a deafening silence, it has less to do with internal equations and everything to do with the information bombs in Lalit Modi's possession, an unguided missile that could reach the highest. Imagine Lalit Modi crooning the popular Urdu couplet on some exotic island, "hum to doobe hain sanam, saath tumhe bhi le doobenge… (I have sunk, my love, but I will make sure you sink with me)". The Modi government's and the party's response has been "stick together or sink together". It is only public outrage that will force action.

• See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/whos-afraid-of-lamo/99/#sthash.3wJMh2aE.dpuf

Journalist shot at by suspected NDFB cadre: Media bodies demand actions against culprits

While thinking to Bangladesh it seems normal to think at "the land of Bengali people". Though this concept is not wrong, at the same time it is also true that "northeastern" minorities are living in Bangladesh, especially all along the borders with North-East India.

Bangladesh can count at least 2 million people belonging to indigenous ethnic minority common to North-East India, for an approximate number of 27 ethnic groups (official statistics. Real data could be higher). The central-northern part of Bangladesh (Mymensingh, Netrokona) is home of Garo and other Garo related sub-tribal groups. The north-eastern part of Bangladesh (Sylhet) is home of Khasi, Tripura, Manipuri and Garo groups. The south-eastern region, also called "Chittagong Hill Tract", is home of the largest number of indigenous population and groups of Bangladesh. There we can find a wide territory that is home of Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Mro and many other groups.

These groups preserve most of the original traditions of their "related" in India, so for example among these groups is common the consumption of pork meat, home-made liquor and fermented drinks, etc, while those foods and drinks are less widespread in the Muslim-majority remaining part of Bangladesh. In the same way indigenous groups of Bangladesh preserve their own mother-tongue, dress code and religion (so for example a Garo girl of Bangladesh wears "dokmanda" and normally is Christian, while a Chakma girl wears "pinon-hadi" and follows Buddhism, a Tripura person is basically Hindu, etc).

Otherwise, as unavoidable, some of the typical features of these groups are influenced by the national characteristics and laws of Bangladesh. So for example the matrilineal traditions of Garo and Khasi are reduced and softened by the strong paternal Bengali society, till becoming more a pure "family matter" than a social fact. In the same way, while laws of Bangladesh have nothing against pork meat, legal restrictions in alcohol consumption have heavily affected the food habits of many indigenous groups.

Also the indigenous languages are often influenced by Bangla language, more than the related language spoken in India. Just for example, the Garo language spoken in India (often called "A'chick") is very different from the Garo language of Bangladesh (often called "Abeng"). Interesting too, the "A'chick" language is normally written in roman font, while the "Abeng" language is written in Bangla alphabet (of course, the original Garo language is only spoken and written form is later).

After this short introduction on the indigenous' background in Bangladesh, I am glad to interview a close friend belonging to Chakma community. I think we can learn a lot from his personal experience:

Q: What is your name and to which ethnic group do you belong?

A: My name is Bukku Chakma. I belong to the Chakma indigenous community of the Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) in Bangladesh. The indigenous people living in this part of Bangladesh are often known also as "Jummo" community.

Q: In the place you come from, which other indigenous ethnic group are present and live around you?

A: My birthplace is Dighinala (Khagrachari). All over around are living Bengali settlers arrived from the Bengal's lowlands, as the whole CHT is subject to a special governmental administration and is under the direct control of Bangladesh Army. Including Chakma, Tripura and Marma, in my birthplace are living a total of 11 different indigenous ethnic groups. Because of their general very poor economical situation, they have to dwell in remote and impracticable hilly areas. Otherwise, the Bengali settlers use to live near the "bazaar" areas, main roads and all around the police and army camps.

Q: What is normally the relation with the Bengali population living in your homeland?

A: Frankly, we have not regular relations with them and without any special or practical needs we don't go meet them. And one of these "special and practical needs" is that most of the shops and businesses are owned by Bengalis. Our traditional agriculture and society is based on a so called "subsistence economy", much weaker than the organised and powerful business mentality of Bengalis. Moreover, the prolonged unstable political situation of the CHT, the omnipresent activity of Army, Police and Border Guard did not allow us to develop our business and economy unlike the Bengalis could.

Q: In which way do you feel your ethnic group's culture and tradition are different from the Bengali one?

A: Cultivating on hilly ground, struggling with the jungle, cultivating without harm the environment, building houses on stilts, controlling with respect the Nature keeping humanity in contact with Creation – all these things are absent in Bengali culture. Moreover I can list also the food habits, religion, traditional social organisation…

I want to give also an example. Every year some people die during rainy monsoon because of landslides. But when we read with attention the newspapers and the reports, we can see most of the dead people are Muslim settlers came from lowlands. When the indigenous people build their houses, they don't cut the mountain or the trees around. Their residences are fully compatible with the surrounding environment. Our traditional relationship with the Nature is a fundamental value shaped by thousands of years of life in our lands. This is totally alien to settlers.

Q: Have you even been in India?

A: Yes, in my early childhood I had the experience to go to Tripura in India. But it was not for an enjoyable reason. In a troubled context of clashes and violence fomented by Bengali nationalism, Army and settlers, in 1986 my family among around 30,000 people of the "jummo" indigenous ethnic group had to cross the Bangladesh-India border and try to take refuge in India. After crossing hostile nature and jungles, once reached Tripura we learned that the limit of refugee they could accept was full and we were returned. So we had to come back to our civil war zone. Finally in 1989 we could be able to find refuge in the refugee camp of Pancharam Para, in the India Tripura. My childhood basically was spent there.

Q: What is your relation with the other indigenous person living in India, if you have any relation with them?

A: In our refugee camp there were not many indigenous present. Of course we met some of them at the bazaar, where they sold vegetables and fruits. Sometime we also met them when we went to collect our "refugee food ration". Not far from our camp there were some villages inhabited by Riang, Tripura, Jamatia, Lusai, ecc. I think they were very sympathetic with us. Without their cooperation our life would be impossible in the refugee camp. When I occasionally had chance to hear their talks, often I heard many of them expressing grief for our condition.

http://www.nelive.in/north-east-bangladesh

Nagaland requested to impose curfew

Northeastern region is known for its cultural diversity and is probably one of the most diversified regions of the worlds. If records are to be believed more than 200 tribes live in the hills, mountains, valleys and plains of the region. But among all the states, Nagaland stands quite apart simply because of the vast number of tribes living here. 

There are many things that come to mind when one thinks of Nagaland – ferocious, head-hunters, elaborate costumes etc. The state which lies at the edge of the country and shares its border with Myanmar is widely popular as the 'wild east' of India because of its dazzling hills and valleys, unexplored forest covers and of course the 'head-hunting tribes'. Nagaland holds significant importance in the socio-geographical dynamics of the country because it is home to numerous tribes. Together the inhabitants of Nagaland may be classified as 'Nagas' but ethnically and culturally all the people living in the state are not 'Naga'. 'Naga' is more of an umbrella term which vaguely clubs together several tribes who have lived in close proximity for centuries and speak distinct versions of the Tibeto-Burman language.

However, it is necessary to mention at this point that 'Nagas' do not necessarily and compulsorily mean only the tribal groups living in the state of Nagaland. The term 'Naga' is used is a much larger context. Nagas, in the larger sense of the word, are the ethnically similar groups who inhabit parts of North East India and north-west Myanmar. 'Nagas' can also be found in four districts of Manipur, one district of Assam and two districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

As of 2012, the state of Nagaland officially recognized 17 Naga tribes. In Manipur, there are as many as 15 recognized Naga tribes while in Arunachal Pradesh there are 3 recognized Naga tribes. Since Nagaland is inhabited with so many different tribes who not only follow different cultures but also speak different languages, a common lingua-franca for the state is spoken by all tribes. The creole, called Nagamese is heavily inspired from Assamese. Nagamese is the preferred form of communication in all public forums and even households.

Major Tribes of Nagaland

Angami
The Angamis are one of the major tribes inhabiting Nagaland. The Angami tribe traditionally occupied the hill areas of the state and they were considered warriors. A majority of their time was spent in war with enemy villages. Angamis are one of the head-hunting tribes of Nagaland. The tribe was primarily dependent on agriculture and life-stock rearing. Their specialty was terraced wet-rice cultivation. Today majority Angamis have adopted Christianity as their faith though as a community they continue to celebrate their indigenous festival the 'Sekrenyi' every February. Traditionally, Angami men wear shawls while the women wear Mechala or a wraparound skirt. Both men and women adorn themselves with large ornaments.

Rengma

The Rengma tribe largely reside in Nagaland though a substantial number also live in Assam. Due to lack of documented history, not much of verified information is available about the Rengmas. However from what is known is that the Rengmas were also agriculturists and were believed to be experts in terrace cultivation. The costumes worn by the tribesmen vary according to the status and position of the weaver. For example, Rhikho is worn by a person who has never offered a great feast or killed an enemy. This dress is characteristically white in color with four narrow black bands. The other types of dresses are Moyet tsu and Alungtsu, worn by different categories of men. There are two sub-divisions within Rengma – the Eastern Rengma and the Western Rengma.        

Ao Naga

The Ao Nagas are one of the largest and most prominent tribes of Nagaland. The Ao Nagas largely inhabit the Mokokchung district, which is also called the Home of the Ao. The Ao Nagas are vastly popular for their clothing, especially their warrior shawl called the Mangkotepsu. The Mangkotepsu is primarily worn by the men and according to their tradition, only the brave men. For a man to earn the right to wear this shawl, he had to take human heads in warfare and host large feast as proof of his wealth. Today almost all Ao Nagas have adopted Christianity.

Chang Naga

The Change Nagas reside primarily in the Tuensang district of Nagaland. Traditionally, the Chang Nagas were head-hunters, though the practice subsided after the British entered their territory. The Changs were originally animists and believed in the continuity between humans, nature and supernatural forces. Today most Changs have adopted Christianity. Like the other Naga tribes, the Changs have elaborate ornamental headgears and shawl-like garments.

Sumi Naga

The Sumi Nagas inhabit the Zunheboto district of Nagaland and are considered a very aggressive yet united tribe. The Sumis were also head-hunters though the practice has ceased now. The Sumi Nagas were animists and worshipped nature. However with the arrival of the Baptist missionaries in the 20th Century, most of them have converted to Christianity. 

In spite of the fact that the Sumis have adopted a new religion, they continue to practice their traditional festivals such as Tuluni and Ahuna.

Though only a handful of Naga tribes have been described above, the fact remains that Nagaland is one of the most diverse land in the country. Major General S. C Sardespande beautifully summarized the Nagas in his 1987 study of the Pakoi Nagas. He said,'Nagas are magnificent. You have to see and live amidst them to believe this simple statement. A very large majority of us know little about them. The little that we now is about their nakedness, headhunting and anti-national, hostile, underground, insurgent activity for the last thirty years of independence India's consciousness of it north-eastern periphery…By nature they are suspicious, sensitive, wary, distrustful, inward-looking, volatile and very very proud. There cannot be a better friend than the Naga once he identifies his friend; there cannot be a worse foe than the Naga once he feels deceived or let down. Deep inside his inscrutable exterior and penetrating eyes there is tremendous warmth, great geniality, sharp intellect and immense good-will.'

http://www.nelive.in/nagaland-%E2%80%93-many-tribes-one-land

Nilotpal Bhattacharjee

Correspondent at The Telegraph

Former Mizoram chief minister and a former rebel chief Zoramthanga says ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebel groups was the only way to bring peace in Manipur... #ManipurAmbush... My piece in The Telegraph.. https://lnkd.in/bB2ZGTb show less

Truce key to peace in Manipur: Zoramthanga

telegraphindia.comFormer Mizoram chief minister and Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga has said the ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebel …

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So near, yet so far: Pregnant women fear to visit crumbling health centre

Rachna Devi is one of the several women who are suffering because the health centre is in appalling condition. Photo credit: Video Volunteers

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Crumbling infrastructure and lack of toilets at health centre keeping pregnant women away from using it. See more http://bit.ly/1Sqd9wv

Pregnant women are fearing to visit the Telmuchu healthcare centre building in Baghmara block of Dhanbad district, Jharkhand.

The reason: crumbling infrastructure and lack of toilets.

Cracks on the roof, water dripping during rainy season, plaster on the walls falling off and no toilet or bathroom for expecting mothers – this is the reality faced by women in the region.

The ground report by Video Volunteer (VV) community correspondent, Bharti Kumari showcases the shortcoming and literal gaps in the health facilities.

This series on community monitoring of maternal health is supported by Oxfam India.

Rachna Devi is one of the several women who are suffering because the health centre is in appalling condition. 

"Our health centre is in very poor condition and we cannot bring pregnant women here for deliveries.  We need to take them to farther centres. There are no toilets or bathrooms here, the roof of the building is in terrible state, it leaks during rainy season and could fall anytime," said Rachna Devi.

India accounts for the highest (17%) pregnancy-related deaths worldwide. However, these deaths are entirely preventable.

Auxillary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at the health centre, Neeta Rai said: "We desperately need repairs in the building, construction of toilets and regular visits by doctors to this health centre."

 

Written by: Oxfam India staff

Video source: Video Volunteers

https://www.oxfamindia.org/featuredstories/1006