ANHAD and Its Activities
ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) was formed in the first week of March 2003 in response to the Gujarat communal carnage of 2002. ANHAD was conceived less as an organization and more as a platform and a very loose movement, which is absolutely action oriented.
ANHAD was conceived less as an organisation and more as a platform and a very loose absolutely action oriented movement. ANHAD is neither a structured and highly resourced organisation nor a centralised movement capable of large-scale popular mobilisation. It, however, tries to combine the elements of both by collaborating with existing organisations and movements and by undertaking local level activities. The former enables ANHAD to develop creative co-operation with people’s organisations and social movements working in different areas of social, cultural and political concerns, the latter opens up for secular mobilisation the space hitherto uncolonised by communalism.
Like any other progressive voluntary organisation the work of ANHAD keeps evolving with experience.
Anhad is registered as a trust (Regd. No.-1708/ 4/ 3127/13-25 dated 6.3.2003) and has seven trustees.
K N Panikkar, historian and social commentator, Founding Trustee
Shubha Mudgal, musician, Trustee
Kamla Bhasin, activist and writer, Trustee
Saeed Akhtar Mirza, film maker and writer, Trustee
Harsh Mander, activist and writer, Founding Trustee
Ram Puniyani, writer, social activist, Trustee
Shabnam Hashmi,social activist, Founding and Managing Trustee
• Major Activities during the past Five Years ANHAD has worked during the past five years mainly at the following levels:
1. Organizing Residential Political Training Camps
2. Producing campaign material for disseminating secular and democratic values
3. People’s Action for Public Policy and Law
4. Organizing Seminars, Conventions
5. Providing an Open Creative Platform for Youth
6. Cultural Events for Peace, Communal Harmony and Justice
7. Working with Diaspora and work beyond borders
8. Community Work
1. Residential Political Training Camps
Sudden spurt of violence and hate in Indian society, a new notion of nationalism based on fear and feelings of besiege and a process of exclusion to redefine the boundaries of social structure has corroded the very foundation on which the constitution of the country was based. The processes more pronounced in certain parts than the other have immensely disturbed intellectuals, artists and social activist. Many have risen to the occasion and have come together to constitute organizations all over the country essentially in defense of democratic values, peace and tolerance. Anhad, in collaboration with large number of activist organizations has been organising residential training camps in different states.
Anhad has been able to mobilise the best minds of the country to interact with the local grass root activists.
The main aim of these camps is to sensitise the participants around the issues related to communalism, to counter prejudices, to plan actions and strategies for building an atmosphere of peace and justice. This is a very slow and long term process of educating people but we feel that there is no alternative in front of us. If we have to change the political discourse in this country, if we have to remove hatred, we will have to educate more and more people. We have organised over 50 camps during the past five years. This is our major concern area, whatever we do we consider this as the most important exercise in building secular cadre and getting people into the secular fold who have otherwise not been a part of the secular network, as well as equipping the secular cadre with enough knowledge to counter hate propaganda and also to provide a much wider vision of the contemporary situation.
1. Jaipur, Rajasthan from May 5-14, 2003
2. Surat, Gujarat-May 15-19, 2003
3. Godhra, Gujarat- May 16-20, 2003
4. Himmatnagar, Gujarat- May 17-21, 2003
5. Chotila, Gujarat- May 18-22, 2003
6. Kutch, Gujarat- May 19-23, 2003
7. Ahmedabad, Gujarat- May 20-24, 2003
8. Delhi - June 4-8, 2003
9. Bhopal, (M.P.) - July 22-26, 2003
10. Hyderabad, (A.P.) Aug. 26-30, 2003
11. Delhi- October 8-12, 2003
12. Udaipur, Rajasthan - Oct. 8-10, 2003
13. Delhi- October 26-30, 2003
14. Mathura, April 5, 2004
15. Ahmedabad, August 20-21, 2004
16. Kalol, August 21-22, 2004
17. Mathura, July 11, 2004
18. Bhubaneshwar, August 28-29, 2004
19. Ayodhya, September 17-18, 2004
20. Kolkata, September 25-26, 2004
21. Hyderabad, October 2-3, 2004
22. Mathura, October 13, 2004
23. Hyderabad, October 30, 2004
24. Delhi, October 30-31, 2004
25. Churu, December 7-10, 2004
26. Chindwara, January 10, 2005
27. Trivendrum, January 12-14, 2005
28. Mathura, February 18, 2005
29. Ayodhya, March 12, 2005
30. Goa, August 12-16, 2006
31. Koba, Gujarat, December 19-27, 2006
32. Membdabad, December 19-27 2006
33. Vadodara, December19-27 2006
34. Memdabad, January 15-25, 2007
35. Ahmedabad, January 15-25, 2007
36. Gandhinagar January 15-25, 2007
37. Devgarh Baria January 22-23, 2007
38. Ahmedabad May 6-June 5, 2007- Month long residential training Camp
39. Ahmedabad July 10, 2007
40. Ahmedabad September 12, 2007
41. Ahmedabad September 18-20, 2007
42. Ahmedabad October, 2-4, 2007 Training for Youth Reporters
2. Producing campaign material for disseminating secular and democratic values
At a very early stage it was realized that giving intensive inputs to the activists does conscientise them but is not sufficient to equip them permanently. The arguments and the data that effectively opposes the ideology of hate had to be put in black and white. Scanning of available books and articles revealed that most of this literature dealt with the issues of bigotry at a highly intellectual plane, which made them inaccessible to the grassroot worker. ANHAD decided to publish its own material in easy understandable language. Anhad has produced and disseminated thousands of books, video cds, exhibitions, leaflets over the past 5 years.
List of Published Material
Sampradayikta by Ram Punyani Gujarati
Hamare Geet Hindi
Anhad Pustak Mala Part I-VI Gujarati
Sampradayikta by Ram Punyani Hindi
The Hidden Apartheid English (book)
The Hidden Apartheid English (a set of 50 posters)-3000 copies
Gandhi Ki Hatya : Doosri Baar by Ram Punyani Hindi
In the Name of Rama by Aabid Surti English
Dark Leaves of the Present Edited by Shabnam Hashmi & Angana P Chatterji English
In Search of Faith Unconquered by Manasa Patnam and Sahir Raza- English
Gujarat 3 Years Later- English
In Defense of Our Dreams- a set of 15 documentary lectures- 1000 copies
Un Sapnon Ki Khatir- a set of 15 docu-lectures-Hindi- 1000 copies
In Defence of Democracy- an exhibition of 60 panels- English, Hindi, -Gujarati, Marathi, Urdu, Telugu, Punjabi and Bengali
In Defence of Democracy- a folder exhibition- 1000 copies
In Defence of Democracy- Book form- Gujarati-4000 copies/ Hindi-1000 copies
Secular Voices- Video CD -1000 copies-Stop Hate Campaign
Creating Democracy Celebrating Diversity- Audio CD- 500 copies
Rajasthan ki schooli kitabon main jansanghar-1000 copies
Untold Story of Hindukaran (Proselytilation) of Adivasis (Tribals)in Dang -Gujarat-1000 copies
Hindustan main fascism ki pehchaan- 1000 copies
Is India really Shining- 1000 copies
National Consultation on Communalism Report-1000 copies
The Uprooted: joint production-1000 copies each in Hindi, English and Gujarati
Creating Democracy Celebrating Diversity-1000 copies
Posters & Leaflets: close to one lakh posters and at least 50 lakh leaflets produced and distributed
Hidden Apartheid: An Exhibition on the Dalit Human Rights
A 50-poster creatively communicative exhibition dealing with issues related to atrocities on Dalits in India was inaugurated by the former President of India, Sh. K R Narayanan in Delhi.
This exhibition was organized in collaboration with NCDHR.
The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) is part of a wider struggle to abolish “untouchability” and to “cast out caste”.
In Defence of Our Dreams
Docu-Lectures
Due to the limited number of experts, paucity of funds and vast geographical spread of the country it is not possible for us physically to meet all the requests for holding camps or workshops that we constantly receive. The hurdle could only be over come by the use of modern technology. Anhad decided to hold two special workshops, one in Hindi and one in English language, in Delhi. 30 lectures were delivered during these workshops. The lectures along with the discussion that followed was recorded on video format. We edited and released a set of 15 docu-lectures in English on March 31, 2004. All the programmes were converted to VCD format for mass production. ‘In Defence of Our Dreams’ has been produced by Gauhar Raza. The Hindi version Un Sapnon ki Khatir was released on March 23, 2005.
In Defence of Our Democracy
An Exhibition
The exhibition highlights those aspects from the Indian history and culture which talk of pluralism. Exhibition is broadly divided into the following sections: the legacy of the freedom movement, the vision of a secular India as enshrined in our constitution, the threat to secular fabric by communal and fundamentalist forces, the myth of minority appeasement and the reality behind conversions, the status of minorities, the attack on minorities, our composite cultural heritage and the need to preserve it.
The exhibition has 60 panels 2x3 feet size. Its printed on flex. The exhibition was produced in English, Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, Punjabi and Bengali. It was inaugurated in Delhi by Javed Akhtar on December 6, 2005. The exhibition has been conceived and researched by Shabnam Hashmi and designed by Pervez. It has been already exhibited over 100 places across India and has been seen by thousands of people. Later the exhibition was converted into a folder in A 3 size and more than 500 sets were sold to the Central Scools. Different organisations also bought about 50 sets. The same exhibition was converted into a book size and 4000 copies were printed in Gujarati and 1000 in Hindi. These are distributed to the participants of the political training camps.
3. People’s Action for Public Policy and Law –Public Hearings, Tribunals, Fact Finding Teams, demonstrations, dharnas etc.
Apart from its direct work on secular education, cultural action for pluralism, secularism and democracy, and youth activism, Anhad sees a major role for itself in building continuous civil society pressure for public policy and law for secular democracy and social justice. ANHAD works as a strong pressure group and is constantly intervening in policy making, organizing media campaigns, releasing statements, sending fact finding teams and organizing tribunals, sending memorandums, organizing protests, demonstrations, dharnas and so on.
August 29, 2003 - Letter to the President of India in defence of Nafisa Ali
October 8, 2003 - Affidavit to Supreme Court of India to reopen 2000 closed cases in Gujarat
November 18, 2003 - Meeting in support of Mallika Sarabhai, Delhi
January 6,2004 - Signature campaign against attack on Bhandarkar Institute
January 13, 2004 - Meeting to discuss civil society’s intervention in the general election
April 11, 2004 - Protest meeting against attack on Youth Aman Karwan-Delhi
June 1-2, 2004 - Meeting of NGOs in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Godhra-preparation of Charter of Demands
June 8, 2004 - Petition to Arjun Singh
June 23, 2004 - Memorandum to the NCERT text book review committee
July first week - Delegations to PM, HM and Sonia Gandhi
July 10-13, 2004 - Deleg to J Reddy, Reconst CBFC, inclusion of video doc in film fest
July 11, 2004 - Petition to HM on the situation in Manipur
July 23, 2004 - letter to DG UNESCO to stop award to Rajput
July 29, 2004 - Pota Repeal Demonstration
August 28, 2004 - Condemning attack on Nikhil Waghle
September 10, 2004 - Statement on Census Report
October 8, 2005 - Protest Demonstration against POTA- Delhi
December 6, 2004 - Demonstration at the Parliament demanding repeal of POTA with retrospective
December 7, 2004 - Release of the Communal Crimes Act Draft- drafted in collaboration with HRLN, Jan Andolan and CSSS
January 20-21, 2005 - Consultative Meeting on Communal Crimes Act
Feb 7, 2005 - Release of UC Banerjee Committee Report, Delhi
February 11, 2005 - Release of UC Banerjee Committee Report, Patna
February 26, 2005 - Representation to WIPRO requesting them not to participate in the funding event for Hindutva forces in the USA
March 11, 2005 - Protest against American Express for sponsoring Modi’s programme in US
March 19, 2005 – Open letter to Prime Minister by Shabnam Hashmi
January 3rd, 2006 Press conference & Release of Report on Dangs
January 26-27, 2006 National Consultation on Communalism in Delhi attended by over 250 activists
October 17th, 2006 Consultation on The Report of the Committee Appointed by the Central Government to Review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958
April 04, 2007 Antarik Visthapit Haq Rakshak Samiti –Public Hearing in Delhi
April 24, 2007 Organised demonstration against Babu Bajrangi in Ahmedabad
June 16, 2007 Consultation meeting on Communal Violence Bill
June 24, 2007 Organised protest against BJP attack on the student of MS University, Vadodara
July 07, 2007 Protest demonstration at Gujarat bhawan after the attack on Anhad Peace festival
September, 2007 Visit and fact finding report on the attack on 6 villages in Surat district
October 11, 2007 Press Conference in Delhi on the issue of Farmers Suicides in Gujarat
October 12, 2007 Led the delegation of the families of farmers from Gujarat to meet the UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Member of Planning Commission Mrs Sayeda Hameed and the Chairperson of NHRC Former Chief Justice of India Mr Rajendra Babu.
November 27, 2007 Organised a silent protest in the support of Tasleema Nasreen in Delhi with other organizations.
January 17, 2008 Organised the released of the report “Unmistakenably Sangh” by The Campaign To Stop Funding Hate
Department of School Education & Literacy, MHRD has sanctioned Jan Shikshan Sansthan to Anhad in Tangdhar, District Kupwara, J&K. Due to Anhad’s intervention a Kendriya Vidyalaya has been sanctioned for Tangdar.
Independent People’s Tribunal on Rise of Fascist Forces and the Attack on the Secular State
New Delhi: March 20-22, 2007
About three hundred women and men from different states of India who had confronted communal campaigns and experienced its brutality had assembled in Delhi from 20-23 March to give their testimony to an independent people’s tribunal organized by a Delhi based voluntary organization, ANHAD and Human Rights Law Network. They consisted of people who have suffered mental and physical torture, driven out of their homes and have lost their dear and near ones. The testimonies rendered by them before the tribunal have clearly demonstrated that communalization is on a fast track in the country and a take over of the state by fascist forces is a distinct possibility. They shared their pain and anguish the myriad ways in which communal forces are expanding their sphere of influence, both through propaganda and coercion.
Those who deposed before the tribunal came from 16 states. These included: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Manipur, West Bengal, Nagaland, Jammu & Kashmir. Their depositions were supported by affidavits and documents. These depositions clearly brought out the strategies employed by the communal forces to further their influence both in the rural and urban areas.
Most of these activities led to serious violations of human rights and dignity of women. Although, these atrocities are locally specific, there are certain uniform, discernible tendencies. The deionization of minorities, both Muslims and Christians, and their consequent marginalization and physical attack has been noticed all over the country. It is particularly important that the states in which the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) is in power like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, this has been quite widespread. The victims of communal aggression have failed to get any help form the state. The role of the police is particularly dubious, as in most cases, the victims were not even able to file FIR. Often it is noticed that the victims are turned into perpetrators of crime. As a result the minorities feel a sense of helplessness. In most states the testimonies indicate that a situation akin to that of Gujarat is developing.
Another unfortunate trend is the ghettoization of the minorities since they feel that they are not safe in the mixed localities they tend to seek safety in the company of co-religionists. This actually increases a fear psychosis. Moreover, it tends to destroy the secular character of social life.
Several other disturbing trends were noticed across the states. Some of these are:
• Systematic clearing or dispossession of lands belonging to the minority communities.
• Communalisation of bureaucracy, especially lower level officials, police and district administration and the injustice faced by the minority communities at their hands.
• The emergence of a clear pattern of activities by Hindutva forces to ferment troubles where there may have been none.
• Inroads being made by Hindutva forces among the oppressed, i.e. the Dalits and the Tribals and the hinduisation of their cultural practices.
• The hurdles faced in advocating justice for the minority communities.
• The criminal justice system in several states appears to be under the influence of Hindutva forces. Consequently we see clear initiatives of false cases being foisted against innocent Muslims and they are being forced to undergo repression behind bars. Also no or inadequate compensation was provided to the victims and medical assistance to the injured was denied.
• Saffronisation is increasingly impacting on economic activity. Ghettoisation through socio-economic boycott renders these communities further vulnerable to other forms of violence.
• The criminal justice system has failed to protect the rights of minorities and has failed to punish the perpetrators.
• The textbooks are saffronsiationed.
• Testimonies underlined an increasing role of religious leaders in communal mobilization.
Several pamphlets with anti-minority propaganda were circulated in different states.
The Jury of the Tribunal consisted of the following: Prof. K.N. Panikkar, Justice Suresh, Justice S.N. Bhargava, Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, Ali Asghar, Syeeda Hameed, Prof. Akoijam Bimol, Prof. Subhranjan Dasgupta, Nikhil Wagle, Kumar Ketkar, Dr. Sandeep Pandey, Annie Raja, Gagan Sethi, John Dayal, Justice Hosbet Suresh, Vincent Manoharan, Dr. Angana Chatterjee, Dr. K. M. Shrimali, Dr. Ram Puniyani, Henri Tiphagne, Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, Jaya Mehta, Dr., Prof. Purshottam Agarwal, S. Irfan Habib, Sheetla Singh, Uma Chakravarty, Dr. R Vashum, Lalit Surjan.
Tribunal Organized by: ANHAD and Human Rights Law Network (HRLN). Supported by: Aman Samudaya, AVHRS, Insaaf, Janvikas, Peace, People Research Society, PUCL Rajasthan, Sandarbh, Vikas Adhyayan Kendra.
Public Statement released at the National Consultation on The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 organized by ANHAD, With inputs from Justice Ahmadi, Farah Naqvi and Gagan Sethi (CSJ) on June 16, 2007 in New Delhi
The completion of three years of the UPA Government is an opportune moment to take stock of what the Government has achieved in terms of justice for communal crimes. The demand for a law on communal violence emerged from a brutal record of recurring violence in our country, the increasing occurrence of gender-based crimes in communal conflagrations, and complete impunity for mass crimes. The reasons are many - lack of political will to prosecute perpetrators, State complicity in communal crimes, lack of impartial investigation, and lack of sensitivity to victim’s experiences. But there is also, crucially, the glaring inadequacy of the law. Today, despite huge strides in international jurisprudence, India continues to lack an adequate domestic legal framework, which would allow survivors of communal violence to seek and to secure justice.
The UPA Government’s Common Minimum Programme (CMP) had promised to give the citizens of this country a ‘comprehensive legislation’ to fill this legal vacuum. We were promised a legislation that would strengthen the hands of the citizens in the struggle against communalism, and allow us to prosecute for mass crimes committed with political complicity and intent. While the country does need a strong law on communal violence, this present Bill is totally misconceived. What we have before us today is a dangerous piece of legislation called the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill 2005, which will not only fail to secure justice for communal crimes, but will actually strengthen the shield of protection enjoyed by the State, its political leaders and its officials for their acts of omission and commission in these crimes. It is a Bill, which conceives of communal violence as a ‘one time’ event rather than as a long-term politically motivated process, and seeks to prevent it only by giving greater powers to (often communally tainted) State governments. Further, it continues to perpetuate the silence around gender-based crimes.
It is a travesty that a Bill of such fundamental importance in addressing the challenges posed to the secular character of our society and polity, was drafted by the Government without any real consultative process involving civil society. At this National Consultation on the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill 2005, we the undersigned, reject this Bill in its entirety. The assumptions of the Bill are so flawed that it cannot be remedied by amending a few components. We therefore reject this Bill and ask the Central Government to forthwith set up a Drafting Committee to formulate an entirely new bill on communal violence, with the active participation of civil society through an open, transparent, and public process. Eminent jurists, civil society activists, academics and legal experts who have engaged on the ground and in court rooms with communal crimes must be part of such a process. A statute which is sincere about addressing gaps in criminal jurisprudence, must base itself on the experiences of victims of communal violence over the last 60 years, the recommendations of various Commissions of Enquiries and international covenants to which India is a signatory.
The statement was endorsed by:
Justice A M Ahmadi, former Chief Justice, Supreme Court
Justice Hosbet Suresh, former Judge, Mumbai High Court
Justice K K Usha, former Chief Justice, Kerala High Court
Justice Rajinder Sachar, former Chief Justice, Delhi High Court
Justice Sardar Ali Khan, former Judge, AP High Court
Professor K.N. Panikker, former VC, Shree Shankaracharya University, Kerala
Nandita Das, Actor
Aruna Roy, MKSS
Prof.K. Satchidanandan(Writer,Activist, former Secretary, Sahitya Akademi)
Ghanshyam Shah
Harsh Mander, Social Activist (Aman Biradari)
Professor Rooprekha Verma, former VC Lucknow University
Colin Gonzalves, Supreme Court Advocate, Delhi
Dr. Ram Puniyani, Social Activist, Mumbai
Professor Kamal Mitra Chenoy, JNU, Delhi
Apoorvanand, Delhi University
Anil Chaudhary, PEACE, Delhi
John Dayal, Senior Journalist & Social Activist, Delhi
V.N. Rai, IPS, Lucknow
K.S. Subramanian, former IPS, Delhi
P.J.G Nampoothiri, former NHRC Spl Rapporteur, Gujarat
Ali Asghar, COVA
Dr. Abdul Salam
Zafar A. Haq, FFCL, Delhi
M. Hilal, FFCL, Delhi
Abid Shah
Uma Chakravarti, Feminist Historian, Delhi University
Hanif Lakdawala, Sanchetna, Gujarat
Prasad Chacko, Action Aid, Gujarat
Kavita Srivastava, Social Activist, Rajasthan
Mehak Sethi, Lawyers Collective, Delhi
Ajay Madiwale, HRLN, Delhi
Avinash Kumar, Oxfam, Gujarat
Ravindra, Lawyers Collective, Delhi
Sophia Khan, Safar, Gujarat
Vrinda Grover, Advocate, Delhi
Usha Ramanathan, Senior Law Researcher, Delhi
Madhu Mehra, Partners for Law in Development, Delhi
Harsh Kapoor, sacw.net, France
Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Reader, M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda
Dr. Pratixa Baxi, JNU, Delhi
Asad Zaidi, Three Essays Publications
Nalini Taneja, Delhi University
Rohit Prajapati, Baroda
Trupti Shah, Baroda
Zakia Johar, Action Aid, Gujarat
Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director, Peoples’ Watch
Niti Saxena, AALI, Lucknow
Saumya Uma, WRAG, Mumbai
Devika Biswas, Sancalp
N.B.Sarojini, SAMA, Delhi
Nandini Sunder, Delhi University
Soma K.P
KK Tripathy, Butterflies
Harsh Singh Lohit
K.A. Salim
Sharafudheen M.K.
Jahnvi Andharia, Anandi, Gujarat
Dunu Roy, Hazards Centre
Nasiruddin, Journalist, Hindustan
Gauhar Raza, Anhad, Delhi
Vineet Tiwari, MP Progressive Writers Association, Indore
Dr. Jaya Mehta, Sandarbh Kendra, Indore
Anjali Shenoy
Harsh Dobhal, Combat Law
Indu Prakash Singh, Actionaid India
Kshetrimayum Onil, Reachout
Asmita Asawari
Shabnam Hashmi, Anhad, Delhi
Gagan Sethi, Janvikas, Gujarat
Farah Naqvi, Delhi
4. Organizing Lectures, Seminars and Conventions
In order to stimulate intellectual debate surrounding issues that shape communal mindset, Anhad has organised over 20 major seminars during the past fiva years. Intellectuals from all over the country were invited to these seminars. Anhad has always believed that all its activities should be guided by well thought of and intellectually sound strategies, therefore we lay special emphasis on such debates.
February 28, 2004 - Two years of Gujarat- a convention- Delhi
July 29, 2004 - Rebuilding Justice and Hope in Gujarat-Seminar
September 29, 2004 - Towards an Agenda For Secular Education
October 4, 2004 - Why Remember Gandhi Today? –seminar
November 14, 2004 - Taimoor Bandey’s lecture at Anhad
Oct 01, 2005- Seminar on “Media and Challenges” in Lucknow
January 26-27, 2006 National Consultation on Communalism in Delhi attended by over 250 activists
March 10-11, 2006 Seminar in Gujarat Social Forum- Communal Ideology and Resistance
April 22nd, 2006 Seminar: Injustices in the Name of Fighting Terrorism at IIC, Delhi
June 30, 2006 Seminar-Re imagining the City, Re imagining the Nation
July 22, 2006 Seminar- Combating Communal Ideology
September 2nd, 2006 Seminar: International Brotherhood of Fascism at IIC, Delhi
September 3rd, 2006 Rethinking Secular Intervention: Consultative Meeting of senior activists on Communalism at IIC, Delhi
October 5-8th, 2006 National Youth Convention & Festival at Delhi attended by 300 youth delegates from across 25 states
November 12, 2006 Seminar at Indian Social Forum: Assault on Secular Democracy in Contemporary India
February 01, 2007 Seminar on Internally displaced people in Gujarat. Release of the
report ‘The uprooted Caught between existence and denial’
February 19, 2007 ‘Godhra Exposed’ Lecture by Mukul Sinha in Delhi.
April 22-23, 2007 Youth Convention in Ahmedabad
September 23, 2007 Youth Convention in Himmat Nagar, Gujarat
October 22, 2007 Youth Convention in Ahmedabad
November 06, 2007 Seminar in Srinagar ‘Role of Media in a Conflict Zone’
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ADOPTED AT THE NATIONAL MEETING Rethinking Secular Intervention ORGANISED BY ANHAD IN NEW DELHI ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2006
The people of India are passing through deeply troubled times. During its term as part of the NDA led alliance, behind its superficial facade of moderation, was a cynically and recklessly engineered communal divide. The elections in the summer of 2004 were therefore no ordinary elections. The ordinary people of India recognized that its outcomes would decisively influence in many ways the destinies of our nation and its people. These elections would either return and further legitimise, or else reject the band of determined, highly motivated people and organizations that had mounted in recent decades an unprecedented assault and challenge to the very idea of India.
During the India’s long struggle for freedom from British colonial rule, the mainstream of popular support lay with Gandhi, and shared his vision of a resolutely secular nation, with equal rights of citizenship for people of every faith, community, caste, colour and gender. The Constitution of India, drafted by one of India’s most revered leaders from a people traditionally subjected to the most savage caste discrimination, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, established the secular, socialist and democratic foundations of the new nation.
Psuedo-religious extremist organisations have challenged this vision of India, more aggressively since the 1980s. Their mobilisation is organised predominantly around the symbol of a medieval mosque, the Babri Masjid. In recent decades, this incendiary intensely sectarian dispute over a tiny patch of land in Ayodhya has come to dominate national public life in India, successfully hegemonising electoral politics, and displacing authentic people’s democratic struggles for a more just, egalitarian and humane world.
The entire Muslim community has been systematically demonised, especially in the hearts and minds of large sections of the influential middle class, as implacably unpatriotic, regressive, unreliable and violent. The manufacture of hatred has extended, especially in distant tribal regions of central India, to other minority groups like Christians. Textbooks have been re-written, and popular cultural forms like cinema distorted, to propogate a false, dangerously communal, undemocratic, patriarchal and inegalitarian vision of our history and cultural legacy.
In this moment of historic crisis, unprecedented in modern India, democratic institutions both of the state and the people stand eroded, corrupted, unsteady or weak. Fascist and anti-democratic politics have been legitimized by the opportunism - or communalisation – of segments of the media and much of the political establishment, except of the left. The resistance by progressive segments of civil society are greatly weakened by their divisiveness and passivity.
The brutal carnage in Gujarat and its aftermath awakened sections of humane and secular public opinion in the country, to the over-riding imperative to reclaim and restore the pluralistic foundations of our society and polity. It alerted us to the levels of communal poison that have been fostered in our society; the mobilisation of legions of young people by psuedo-religions fundamentalist organisations; and the failure of large sections of the state, the political class and even progressive civil society organisations to confront, resist and reverse sectarian mobilisation around ideologies of hatred and divide.
The Congress-led UPA alliance was catapulted to power by a people who quietly and decisively rejected the politics of hate and the assaults that these had mounted on the secular democratic idea of India. It needed to recognise the deep significance of this moment in our political and social history, that its actions would influence profoundly the future course our country will take. Its two years in office shows little awareness of its responsibility to future generations.
The first set of unmet expectations relate to reclaiming healing and justice to the survivors of Gujarat, who were denied even elementary reparation and rehabilitation by an unashamedly hostile government. As legal justice is openly subverted and economic boycott and fear persist, no hand has reached out from the central government or parties to wipe their tears. There is no rehabilitation package, no measures to secure independent investigation, prosecution and trial. State impunity stands unchanged. Life has not improved in any way for the survivors of the state sponsored carnage a year after the government came to power.
There was hope that at least the brazen misuse of POTA, applied exclusively in Gujarat against the minorities, would be corrected by a retrospective repeal of the draconian legislation. The law was allowed to die, but all those charged under it by the previous regime continue to languish in jails under its anti-democratic provisions. Indeed, the Modi government has made fresh arrests under POTA even after the meaningless repeal.
Many hopes were pinned to the law on communal violence promised in the CMP, to prevent the recurrence of state impunity in communal massacres like Gujarat. The expectation was a law that would strengthen the hands of citizens by codifying the mandatory duties of the state to prevent and control communal violence, and to secure reparation and legal justice. Instead, the government has produced a draft that adds to the powers of the state, including measures from POTA and the Armed Forces Act that, far from protecting minorities, notoriously have been used against them.
There is a dangerous conspiracy of silence in the ruling political establishment about the continued hate mobilization of the Muslims by the Sangh organizations, and the attacks on Christians in many parts of the country. Communal tempers are mounting dangerously in states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The Sangh schools continue to propogate hate in young minds, through falsifying history and demonizing minorities. Several of these schools are resourced by overseas supporters of the Sangh, and many are even state-funded.
In this decisive moment in our country’s history, wanton failures by the central government to defend the secular fabric of our land and to restore the faith, confidence and equal rights of minorities, constitute a profound betrayal of the people’s mandate
Prof.KN Panikkar, Kerala
Prof.Romila Thapar, New Delhi
Nandita Das, New Delhi
Kanchan Sinha,Lucknow
Jimmy Dabhi, Ahmedabad
Rooprekha Verma, Lucknow
Prasad Chacko, Ahmedabad
Hiren Gandhi, Ahmedabad
Subhash Gatade, New Delhi
Ram Puniyani, Mumbai
M. R. Pathan,Vadodara
Girish M. Das,Ahmedabad
Yusuf Shaikh,Vadodara
G. F Malik,Baroda
Maya Valecha,Baroda
Asad Zaidi.Gurgaon
Mukul Sinha, Ahmedabad
Nirjhari Sinha, Ahmedabad
Iftikar Ahmed Khan,Baroda
Xavier Manoharan,Gujarat
Shankar Gopalakrishna,New Delhi
Mohammad Arif, Varanasi
Zakia,Ahmedabad
Ali Asghar,Hyderabad
Gagan Sethi,Ahmedabad
Yogesh Deewan,Hoshangabad
Vineet Tiwari,Indore
Deepak Bhatt,Bhopal
Javed Anis,Bhopal
Nasiruddin,Lucknow
Shailendra Kumar,Jharkhand
Anuj Kumar, Ranchi
Hari Om Prasad,Delhi
Hanif Lakdawala,Ahmedabad
Sheba George,Ahmedabad
Avinash Kumar,Ahmedabad
Kavita Srivastava, Jaipur
Manan, Ahmedabad
Amjad Ahmed, Srinagar
Preeti Verma, New Delhi
Deepika D’Souza, New Delhi
Kiran Shaheen, New Delhi
Shabnam Hashmi, New Delhi
5. Providing an Open Creative Platform for Youth
Young sensitive citizens are disturbed by the culture and politics of violence that surrounds them - violence that one faces everyday on the streets, at home, in college, in the state and in the country. They are worried and want to make a change. They are tired of being stereotyped as indifferent, because in fact they deeply care.
Anhad provides a vibrant and creative platform to share such concerns – for young minds, a space without boundaries where each one can voice their opinions and ideas without fears.
Anhad’s youth platform is envisaged as an ongoing activity conceptualised, designed, executed by and for the youth in campuses and schools around the country. The main aim is to make ‘peace’ a movement with immediacy and meaning for young people, and not just a remote idea or theory. The message of peace is spread through Open House Discussions, Film Screenings, Debate and Poetry Competitions, Theatre Performances, Photography Exhibitions, etc.
During the past five years Anhad has organised major creative campaigns at the national level involving youth.
Walk for Peace
On 18th November, 2003 more than 100 college students from the majority community, for the first time in their lives, reached the Shah Alam dargah in Ahmedabad under the banner of Youth for Peace. Shah Alam is a dargah revered by ordinary people of all faiths, but it was also the largest relief camp after the carnage, home to more than 12000 women, men and children who were rendered internal refugees because of the pogrom. Most urban educated youth in Ahmedabad had failed to take a stand on the 2002 carnage in Gujarat. The Walk for Peace from Shah Alam to Sanskar Kendra in Ahmedabad was therefore a very significant symbolic step taken by young people of diverse faiths to reclaim their collective humanity. In many ways, it broke both mental and physical barriers.
Youth Aman Karwan : Meri Awaz Suno
It was an epic expedition undertaken by students to appeal to the youth of India to spread the message of peace in the country. The Youth Aman Karwan was flagged off in Delhi on April 7,2004 and it covered 15000kms. It passed through Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Godhra, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai, Nagpur, Raipur, Bhubneshwar, Vishakhapatnam, Vijaywada, Hyderabad, Anantpur, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Katni, Allahabad, Lucknow, Dehradun, Jallandhar, Kathua, Patni Top, Batot, Ramban, Jammu, Udhampur, Srinagar, Mand Gaon, Ludhiana and Kurukshetra. It returned to Delhi on May 7, 2004.
The students between the age group of 14-21 spoke different languages, came from different economic and cultural backgrounds. Some came from ordinary families, some from middle, upper middle classes, others were homeless children.
They conducted press conferences and public meetings in every city to get their message of peace and harmony across to as many people as possible. Youth Aman Karwan was supported by around 25 organisations all over India. Some of them are CRY, ActionAid, Prashant, Navsarjan, NCDHR, PUCL, Sadbhavna ke Sipahi, Akhil Bharatiya Rachnatmak Sangh, Secular Collective, COVA, Muslim Youth of India, Deshbakht Yadgar Committee, Deshbandhu, Aasha, Satya Shodhak Sangh, Aman Samuday, Media Artists, Sarokar, Lokshahi Bachaho Youth Aman Karwan
Anhad started its ’Restore Democracy’ campaign in Gujarat in February 2007.
Anhad , in collaboration with approximately 15 Gujarat based organizations, flagged off three Youth Karwans on June 5th which travelled to 630 villages across Gujarat, covering 25 districts. The young volunteers after reaching a village first displayed the exhibition which they were carrying, the exhibition had panels on our independence struggle, on the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, the exhibition had several panels on the Indian Constitution and our composite culture. the exhibition also had a large number of photographs on two huge panels exposing the myth of Vibrant Gujarat. The youth volunteers then organised public meetings in the villages and talk about the conditions in present Gujarat both economical, and the constant attack on the democratic rights and on the freedom of expression. They screened documentaries and feature films.
In one day one group covered 3-4 villages, so together they covered about 11-15 villages depending on the distances between the villages and the terrain of the district which they cover on a particular day.
They distributed more than 5 lakh leaflets and one lakh copies of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
One of the Karwan’s was attacked in Amreli district. The administration tried to put anti national activity charges on the young volunteers and it took us five hours to get the youth members out of the illegal detention. The impact of this campaign can be assessed by a news item published three days ago in a regional daily asking the BJP youth to combat Anhad. Rupala, the state BJP chief is quoted in the news item as saying that Anhad has brought 1000 young people from other states to campaign against the govt . We definitely consider it as a compliment if our 30 young volunteers from Gujarat are giving an impression of being a 1000 strong contingent.
January 8, 2004 - Premiere of Final Solution, Delhi
April 7- May 7, 2004 - Youth Aman Karwan
August 24, 2004 - Public Screening of Final Solution
August 31, 2004 - Launch of Third Act - Youth for Peace
November 17, 2004 – Screening of the film-Crossing the Lines:Kashmir, Pakistan, India by Pervez Hoodbhoy and Zia Mian
November 15, 2004 - Essay Competition for students, Delhi
November 25, 2004 - Creative Writing Competition for students in Mumbai, Y4P
July 15, 2005- Screening of the film “Manipur-Shadows of Freedom” in Delhi
April 18th, 2006 Essay Competition in Srinagar- Save Dal Lake
May 12-14, 2006 Workshop for the Volunteers for Kashmir in Delhi
May 18th, 2006 Elocution in Srinagar university- Kashmiri Youth: Dreams and Future
February 04, 2007 Announcement of ‘SMS Parzania Contest’ in Gujarat
February 12, 2007 Announcement of Competition ‘Creating Democracy Celebrating Diversity’ inviting young creative minds to create any product that promotes the value of Communal harmony, Democracy, Peace, Fraternity, Diversity and Secularism.
February 15, 2007 Announcement of Stop Hate Campaign for College/School Students by creating messages of peace and communal harmony
March 24, 2007 Interaction of the winners of of ‘SMS Parzania Contest’ with Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika in Mumbai
April 01, 2007 Launch of one Computer cum Creative centre in Uri, J&K
April 01, 2007 Launch of Youth centre in Srinagar
April 23, 2007 Organised first public screening of Parzania in -Ahmedabad
May 01, 2007 Launch of one Computer cum Creative centre in -Tangdhar, J&K
May 01, 2007 Started five Youth centres in 6 villages in District Uri, J&K. Started three Women Empowerment Centres in three villages in District Uri
May 06, 2007 Organised a TV Talk show for Doordarshan
June 01, 2007 Started five Youth centres in five villages in District Tangdhar, J&K
Started three Women Empowerment Centres in three villages in District
June 04, 2007 Flag off of Youth Aman Karwan in Gujarat Tangdhar
July 06-08, 2007 National Student’s Peace Festival in Ahmedabad
July 14, 2007 Student’s Film Festival in Srinagar attended by 500 students
August, 2007 State level competitions for college students: 1. should students Take Part in Politics 2. Should Education be privatized 3. Relationship between Politics of Hate and growing Violence against Women
September, 2007 Organised a creative writing competition for the school students in Kashmir
November 14, 2007- Motorcycle Rally covering 22 district headquarters
December, 2007 Television advertisement on ETV
6. Cultural Events for Peace, Communal Harmony and Justice
Anhad actively celebrates the secular, multi-layered cultural traditions of India, emphasizing that all creative endeavor upholds the values of secularism and pluralism. Anhad in collaboration with many other organisations organised the following events during the past five years :-
July 1, 2003 : Communal Harmony Day
In 2003, Anhad declared July 1 as the day For Communal Harmony in Gujarat. July 1st is dedicated to the memory of Vasant Rav and Rajab Ali who gave their lives to preserve peace in Ahmedabad. Anhad mounted a major peace festival on that day at the Tagore Hall. The festival continued well over 7 hours and was attended by thousands of young students and local residents. Those who participated in the programme include Shubha Mudgal, Aditi Mangaladas, Aditi Desai and artists from Darpana Theatre Academy and Mrigya fusion band. Special exhibitions were put up and posters and t-shirts were released on the occasion.
September 27, 2003 Delhi : Peace Concert Was attended by over 3,500 young students from schools and colleges of Delhi. The concert of vocal and instrumental music continued for more than four hours in the evening. Luminaries like Nandita Das, Harsh Mander, Tarun Tejpal and Shubha Mudgal delivered short messages of peace. The concert created history as Shubha Mudgal and Indian Ocean decided to perform together on the spot.
November 30, 2003 Ahmedabad : Peace Concert
The response of the young students of Ahmedabad was over whelming, over 5000 students attended the concert. To see such response in a city like Ahmedabad that had only recently been mute witness to one of the most brutal pogroms in recent Indian history, gave a lot of hope. Dignitaries like Mallika Sarabhai, Martin Macwan, Harsh Mander were present to support the cause of peace and communal harmony.
January 7, 2004 Delhi : Unity Concert
A Unity concert was organised on January 7, 2004. The evening started with a street play by ‘Safdar Rang Manch’ based on women’s issues and communalism “ Touch the sky”. Manu Kohli a young singer, Zohra Segal, Gauhar Raza and a dalit group Shakti from Tamil Nadu performed in front of a large crowd. The evening was brought to a close by the music legend Usha Uthap. Raju Rajgopal, Chair Promise of India, Tarun Tejpal and Harsh Mander spoke on the occasion. Unity concert was organised in collaboration with Promise of India. Promise of India is a global community of Indians rededicating themselves to a democratic, secular, pluralistic and united India.
March 20, 2004 Delhi : Women Artist for Peace, Justice and Harmony
The evening started with the songs by Artists Unlimited an independent youth forum for the promotion of arts, run by and for students followed by a performance by Ananya Chatterjee in the oddisi style of classical dance depicting issues in the lives of women of color, particularly women of South Asian origin. Then there was a ‘tarranum’ rendition of poems by Zehra Nigaah, a famous urdu poet from Pakistan. Faiz was sung by Manu Kohli a trained ghazal singer that was followed by women’s liberation songs by Eva Warberg a documentary filmmaker and also a songwriter. Samina Ahmed, Samina Rehman and Salima Hashmi from Pakistan presented a skit based on the Hudood Law. The evening was concluded with songs from India’s best–known female Hindustani vocalist Shubha Mudgal.
The programme was organised in collaboration with Jagori, V Day and Sangat.
Jagori, linked to the women’s movement is a documentation & resource center on women-related issues.
Sangat is the acronym for ‘‘South Asian Network of Gender Activists and Trainers’’.
V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls.
December 11, 2004 Delhi : Artists for Human Rights, Justice and Peace Anhad observed Human Rights Day in collaboration with Jagori and Sangat. Performance include ‘‘Two Women’’ Street Play by Third Act, ‘‘Shanti ke Doot’’ by Springdales School, Pusa Road, Bangla Band from Bangladesh, Indian Ocean, Poetry recitation by Vimal Thorat & Gauhar Raza.
Rock the Nation Concert - Youth for Peace, organized a unique event called “Rock the Nation” on November 29, 2004 in collaboration with Nehru Yuvak Kendra Each band had to compose one original composition on the theme of communal harmony and peace. Each band was given 30 minutes performance time.
Some of the bands that rocked the night were Paradigm Shift, Alter Ego, Brain Deads, Descant, The Supperfuzz Bigmuff, Prestorika, Nomads, Hell Bound Harmony, Oritus, Illusion. The Judges for the day were Mr. Rahul Ram (Indian Ocean), Mr. Sharat Srivastava, Mr. Sachin Gupta (Mrigya),
Mr. Ashwini Verma (Euphoria) & Dilip Ramachandran (Parikrama). Sh. Sunil Dutt, Minister of Sports & Youth affairs and actor Rahul Bose attended the programme and gave away the prizes to the winners of Essay Writing Competition, another competition organized by Youth for Peace.
Tribute to Wali Gujarat- On the fourth anniversary of the Gujarat massacre of 2002 Anhad organized a programme in memory of Wali Gujarati whose dargah was demolished during the 2002 carnage.
July 1, 2003 - Cultural Event in Ahmedabad for Communal harmony
September 27, 2003 - Peace Concert-Launching of Youth For Peace, Delhi
November 30, 2003 - Peace Concert-Ahmedabad- Youth For Peace
January 7, 2004 - Unity Concert-Event- Delhi
March 20, 2004 - Women Artists for Justice, Peace & Harmony-Event
March 23, 2004 - Bhagat Singh’s Birthday- meeting, cultural tribute
July 1, 2004 - Communal Harmony Day in Ahmedabad
November 29, 2004 - Rock the Nation- - A competition of Rock Bands, Youth For Peace- Event, Delhi
December 11, 2004 - Human Rights Day celebrated in collaboration with Jagori, Sangat
August 06, 2005- 60 years of Hiroshima Peace Concert in Delhi
March 1, 2006 A Tribute to Wali Gujarati- An event of poetry, music, theatre, dance and films at Ahmedabad
June 30, 2006 An Evening of Dance, Poetry and Music
July 22, 2006 Communal Harmony Day in Ahmedabad- 60 Years of Martyrdom Vasant Rajab : A Symbol of Communal Harmony
An Evening of Poetry and Music
October 08, 2007 Martyr’s day Concert of Rock Music
November 30, 2007 Celebrated South Asian Women’ Day for Peace, justice and Harmony with Sangat and other organizations.
December 10, 2007 Celebrated Human Rights Day with Sangat at IIC, Delhi
7. Work with Diaspora & Beyond National Borders
Anhad works in close collaboration with a large number of organisations of Indians based in US/UK and Canada. Anhad also hosts delegations from other countries. The major areas of collaboration include :
• Influencing the Indian diaspora, especially the youth, to promote values of pluralism, secularism, peace and justice.
• Building larger far more inclusive social and cultural platform and spaces for secular non-resident Indians and organisations to meet and work together.
• Organising active engagement of youth of Indian origin, in social justice issues and efforts, both in India and other countries.
• Recruiting volunteer teams mainly youth of Indian origin and young Indian students and professionals as Friends of Anhad.
• A series of workshops by Anhad for youth community leaders from various organisations that on pluralism, justice and identity.
• Cultural events for messages of pluralism and justice (e.g. film festivals, music concerts and theatre)
• Designing internship programmes in Indian (from 6 weeks to one year) for young people.
• Coordinating lecture tours of eminent experts from India on questions related to secularism, peace and justice.
• Anhad Delegation to Pakistan: Prof. KN Panikkar, Harsh Mander, Nandita Das, Gauhar Raza, Shabnam Hashmi, Soumya Sen
• The delegation began its eight-day tour from Lahore and also visited Karachi and Islamabad. The itinerary included meetings with most major non-governmental organisations and social activists, lectures by Prof. Panikkar and Mr. Mander and meetings with writers, poets, artists and intellectuals from across the border. Screenings of Nandita Das’s film “Earth’’ and Gauhar Raza’s documentaries, “In the Dark Times’’ and “Evil Stalks the Land’’.
• The main aim of the delegation was to work out long-term relationships with groups and activists, artists and intellectuals who are working on same issues. This is an effort to work for rational thinking, against prejudices, against hatred on both sides of the borders by working with ordinary people and grass root workers.
• During the past four years Anhad has hosted three delegations from Pakistan one Goodwill Mission of NRI’s from US and UK, a delegation of senior journalists from US.
February 1-7, 2004 - Anhad delegation to Pakistan
February 16-20, 2004 - Exhibition of Pakistani painters, sculptors
July 24-25, 2004- Hosted Delegation of senior journalists from USA
November 14, 2004 - Taimoor Bandey’s lecture at Anhad
November 17, 2004- Visit of Romanian Princess
November 17, 2004 – Screening of the film-Crossing the Lines:Kashmir, Pakistan, India by Pervez Hoodbhoy and Zia Mian
January 1-5, 2005 - Indo-Pak Goodwill Delegation
February 4-7, 2005 - Hosting Youth Delegation from Pakistan
February 26, 2005 - Representation to WIPRO requesting them not to participate in the funding event for Hindutva forces in the USA
March 11, 2005 - Protest against American Express for sponsoring Modi’s programme in US
March 19, 2005 – Open letter to Prime Minister by Shabnam Hashmi
February 24, 2007 Hosted a meeting of intellectuals with Mr. Richard Howitt, Member European Parliament.
January 17, 2008 Organised the released of the report “Unmistakenably Sangh” by The Campaign To Stop Funding Hate
8. Community Work
In November 2004, Anhad took the responsibility for supporting the education of 25 children from Gujarat. These children belong to the displaced families affected by the 2002 carnage and have not been able to return to their villages. Their studies were disrupted for over two years. The students lived in Delhi for two years and studies in Delhi. Now all ofthem have been placed in local schools in Gujarat.
Anhad now supports the education of 150 students in Gujarat.
Anhad worked extensively during the Tsunami and in Kashmir. It mobilised relief material for Tsunami victims and earthquake victims in Kashmir.
Anhad is doing extensive work in remote villages of Kashmir.
Chronological List of Anhad Activities
December, 2004 - Fund raising for Tsunami, visit to the area
January 8, 2005 - Visit to tsunami hit areas, fund raising
January 20-Feb 4, 2005 - Youth For Peace works in Tsunami hit village
Oct-Nov, 2005 Worked in earthquake affected areas in Kashmir
May 15-June 10 30 University students work in over 40 villages in the earthquake villages in Uri and Tangdar
Sponsorship of students in Gujarat We supported the education of 54 students in Gujarat with the support of FFCL, Peace, IMRC and Mr. Harsh Singh Lohit
March 22-30, 2007 Conducted Survey by team of experts in District Uri, J&K to assess the situation in the aftermath of Earthquake in 2005.
April 01, 2007 Launch of one Computer in Uri, J&K
April 10-15, 2007 Conducted Survey by team of experts in District Tangdhar, J&K to assess the situation in the aftermath of Earthquake in 2005.
May 01, 2007 Launch of one Computer in Tangdhar, J&K
May 01, 2007 Started three Women Empowerment Centres in three villages in District Uri
June 01, 2007 Started three Women Empowerment Centres in three villages in District Tangdhar
Save Democracy Campaign Gujarat
1. Convention of the Internally Displaced
2. Screen Parzania Contest
3. Event in Bombay with Parzania caste: Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika and winners
4. Screening of Parzania
5. Demonstration demanding Babu Bajrangi’s arrest
6. Demonstration in Vadodara
7. State Level Youth Convention, Ahmedabad
8. Theater and Political Training Workshop
9. Preparation of exhibitions
10. TV talk show for Doordarshan
11. Youth Karwans –three karwans covered- 630 villages
12. Survey of the Internally displaced families
13. National Student’s Festival
14. State level competitions for college students: 1. should students Take Part in Politics 2. Should Education be privatized 3. Relationship between Politics of Hate and growing Violence against Women
15. Youth Convention for North Gujarat, Himmat Nagar
16. Visit and fact finding report on the attack on 6 villages in Surat district
17. October 2, distribution of roses and a Gandhi card at teen darwaza
18. Martyr’s day Concert of Rock Music
19. Training for Youth Reporters and vernacular journalists
20. Youth Convention for Central Gujarat
21. Motorcycle Rally covering 22 district headquarters
22. Opening of an exhibition on the status of women
23. 10 day campaign in Maninagar-Modi’s constituency covering 80,000 households and 5 corner meetings + one cultural programme at Dakshini Chawk. Save Democracy Rally
24. Television advertisement on ETV
25. Leaflets: Preamble of the Indian Constitution- one lakh copies, Myth of Vibrant Gujarat- 3 lakh, Vadodara freedom of expression leaflet- 25,000, vadodara-poster- 1,000, Gandhi leaflet- 2,50,000- walk in his footsteps and not those of his killers, Gandhi card- 6,000, motorcycle folder- 2,5 lakhs, appeal signed by ten women- 50,000, maninagar leaflet-1,50,000, maninagar leaflet colour- 5 lakh, minority leaflet-50,000, leaflet on data related to women-50,000, youth convention leaflets-2 lakh, competition leaflets all put together- one lakh
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