Letter to Home Minister

 

 

 

23, Canning Lane, New Delhi-110001

anhad.delhi@gmail.com, tel-23070740/ 22

 

Shri P. Chidambaram

Hon'ble Union Home Minister

Government of India

 April 29, 2011

Subject: Request for providing adequate and effective security to Shri Sanjiv R. Bhatt

            (IPS 1998), Principal SRPF Training College, Junagadh

 

Dear Mr. Chidambaram,

We are deeply perturbed by the media reports (pasted at the end of this letter) : Gujarat Govt withdraws security cover of IPS officer who deposed against Modi, Express news service, Fri Apr 29 2011, 00:36 hrs.

 

Sanjiv Bhatt IPS, DIG SRPF Training College, Junagadh, had filed an Affidavit relating to SIT investigation on the complaint by Smt. Ahsan Jafri against Shri Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, senior politicians and bureaucrats in the Supreme Court of India.

Sanjiv Bhatt's Affidavit filed in Supreme Court contains important evidence against Narendra Modi.  Earlier, the late Haren Pandya, the former State Minister, who submitted similar information to the Citizens Tribunal, headed by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, had been assassinated in suspicious circumstances. 

In the background of these circumstances and the prevailing conditions in Gujarat of 'No Tolerance to any Dissent' today's media reports about the withdrawal of security from Sanjiv Bhatt comes as a rude shock and is very disturbing.

There is a long list of serving officers who have been penalized by the state government for stopping the riots in 2002 in the areas under their jurisdiction and they continue to be harassed.

We as concerned citizens, individuals, activists, political workers, leaders feel extremely perturbed by this recent development.

We are writing to urge you to ensure that adequate and effective security cover be provided to Sanjiv Bhatt and his family urgently. 

He is entitled to protection as per the witness protection rules ordered by the Honorable Supreme Court for the witnesses of the communal riot cases, being investigated by the SIT constituted by the Supreme Court.

 

Yours Sincerely

 

Released by Shabnam Hashmi on behalf of

 

1.      Aamir Edresy, Association of Professional Muslims, Mumbai

2.      Abdul Khaliq, Awadh Public Charitable Public Trust, Delhi

3.      Abu Saleh Sharief, economist, Bangalore

4.      Aditi Mangaldas, Dancer, Delhi

5.      Admiral Ramdas, peace activist, former naval chief, Alibag, Maharashtra

6.      Amitabh Behar, social activist, Delhi

7.      Annie Raja, President, National Federation of Indian Women, Delhi

8.      Anuradha Chenoy, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University

9.      Biju Mohan, filmmaker, Barabanki, UP

10.  D Raja, MP, leader, Communist Party of India, Delhi

11.  Danish Ahmed, National Secretary, Janata Dal (Secular)

12.  Dhirendra Panda, social activist, Orissa

13.  Dr Harshvardhan Hegde, orthopedic surgeon, Delhi

14.  Dr Jaya Mehta, Economist, Sandarbh, Indore

15.  Dr. Ram Puniyani, writer and activist, Mumbai

16.  Farukh Shaikh, film actor, producer, Mumbai

17.  Father Cedric Prakash, Human Rights activist and Director Prashant, Ahmedabad

18.  Gagan Sethi, social activist, Centre for Social Justice, Ahmedabad

19.  Githa Hariharan, writer, novelist, Delhi

20.  Hanif Lakdawala, social activist, Director Sanchetna, Gujarat

21.  Harsh Dobhal, Human Rights Law Network, Delhi

22.  Harsh Mander, activist, writer, member NAC

23.  Indu Kumar Jani, writer, journalist, Ahmedabad

24.  Jai Sen, CACIM , Delhi

25.  Kamla Mitra Chenoy, Professor, JNU

26.  Kavita Srivastava, General Secretary, PUCL, Rajasthan

27.  Kedar Mishra, poet, journalist, Orissa

28.  Lalita Ramdas, peace activist, Alibag

29.  Madhumita Ray, social activist, Orissa

30.  Mahesh Bhatt, filmmaker, Mumbai

31.  Manas Ranjan, social activist, Orissa

32.  Mohd Azam Khan, activist, Hyderabad

33.  Mushirul Hasan, Historian, Delhi

34.  Naasiruddin Haider Khan, Journalist, Delhi

35.  Nandita Das, actress, Mumbai

36.  Nasiruddin Shah, Actor, Mumbai

37.  Paul Divakar, National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights, Delhi

38.  Prasad Chako, social activist, National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights, Ahmedabad

39.  Prashant Paikray, social activist, Orissa

40.  Prof KN Panikkar, Historian, Kerala

41.  Prof Ramesh Dixit, Lucknow University, Lucknow

42.  Prof Rooprekha Verma, Former Vice Chancellor, Delhi University

43.  Ram Vilas Paswan, President, Lok Jan Shakti Party

44.  S Irfan Habib, Historian, Delhi

45.  Saba Dewan, filmmaker, Delhi

46.  Saeed Mirza, film director, writer, Mumbai, Goa

47.  Sampad Mohapatra, journalist, Orissa

48.  Sania Hashmi, filmmaker, Delhi

49.  Seema Duhan, social activist, Orissa

50.  Seema Mustafa, journalist, Delhi

51.  Shabnam Hashmi, social activist, Anhad, Delhi

52.  Sharmila Tagore, actress, Mumbai, Delhi

53.  Sheba George, social activist, Director, Sahrwaru, Ahmedabad

54.  Shubha Mudgal, artists, singer, Mumbai

55.  Sohail Hashmi, filmmaker, writer, Delhi

56.  Sonia Jabbar, filmmaker, Delhi

57.  Subhash Gatade, columnist, writer, Delhi

58.  Sukumar Muralidharan, Journalist, Delhi

59.  T Haridas, Jansanskriti, Delhi

60.  Utkarsh Sinha, activist, INSAF, Lucknow

61.  Urvashi Butalia, writer, activist, Delhi

62.  Uttam Parmar, social activist, Surat

63.  Vineet Tiwari, Progressive Writers 'Association, Sandarbh, Indore

64.  Vrinda Grover, advocate, Supreme Court

65.  Zafar Agha, Editor, Jadeed Mail, Delhi

66.  Zakia Soman, social activist, Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Gujarat

 

MEDIA REPORT

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gujarat-govt-withdraws-security-cover-of-ips-officer-who-deposed-against-modi/783206/

Gujarat govt withdraws security cover of IPS officer who deposed against Modi

Express news service

Posted: Fri Apr 29 2011, 00:36 hrs

 

Days after he submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court to say Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi wanted "Muslims taught a lesson" for "the burning of kar sevaks at Godhra" in 2002, IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's security detail was withdrawn on the orders of the state Director General of Police. Instead of four guards, he will now have a lone policeman guarding him.

"There is no way I am going to allow this. My family needs to be protected," Bhatt told The Indian Express, saying he was drafting a reply to the DGP.

Bhatt had been recommended Y-category security — it comprises a security team of 11, including seven armed guards outside the house — after police intelligence underlined the threat he faced in view of his disclosures to the Special Investigation Team probing the riots cases.

Since no decision had been taken on providing him Y-category cover, he had made his own security arrangement at his residence, using four men drawn from the SRP Training College where he is currently posted as Principal.

Are you PREPARED (April 14th 2011)

 

 

"ARE   YOU   PREPARED?"

 

 

 

I     PRAY

• Pray without ceasing
• Read, pray and meditate on Mt 25:1-13
• Organize special prayers in our parishes / institutions
• Keep our churches / chapels / prayer halls open for prayer
• Pray with our Christian brethren (also in their churches)
• Conduct / join  inter-faith prayer (Sarva Dharma Prathna)
• Be sensitive (our prayers and other programmes need not be "jarring"/ "blasting"/ a nuisance to others
• DO NOT "FIRE CRACKERS" nor use high decibel speakers - specially after 10.00 pm (remember that many of our neighbours are little children or elderly persons and perhaps even sick)

(cfr. the Supreme Court rulings on these matters)

• What does Jesus say about "praying?"

 

 

 

II   DIALOGUE

• Keep avenues of dialogue always open with all
• Do not get co-opted or provide legitimacy in any way to fascists / fundamentalists
• Do not be naïve...dialogue is always in the context of respect, equity and dignity.
• Participate in Festivals / Prayers of others and invite them to ours
• Strengthen areas that unite / connect (search for commonalities / connections)
• Take a stand against divisiveness

·         Network and collaborate with other secular / like-minded individuals / groups

 

 

 

III  STUDY –  DOCUMENT - WRITE

• Study-analyze the situation
• Study the ideology of Fascists; know how they operate ("divide and rule")
• Do not limit yourself to issues involving Christians only; get involved in ALL Human Rights issues, sp. in the defence of dalits, tribals, women, children, differently - abled persons, other minority / vulnerable groups.
• Collect "Patrikas" and other relevant literature (sp. derogatory ones)
• Document Newspaper / Journal articles on topical / sensitive, relevant  issues
• Video / audio record inflammatory speeches / proceedings
• Write articles / letters to the Editor in national / local / vernacular newspapers / journals  on crucial  issues
• Use "The Right to Information" Act to get information from / of the Government (Govt. officials / spending)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV   PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND PEACE

• "Today too, in an increasingly globalized society, Christians are called, not only through their responsible involvement in civic, economic and political life but also through the witness of their charity and faith, to offer a valuable contribution to the laborious and stimulating pursuit of justice, integral human development and the right ordering of human affairs."  (Pope Benedict XVI, Peace Day message, 1st Jan.  2011)
• Fear ONLY God and no one else; stand up ALWAYS for Truth and Justice.
• Join / support other initiatives like the PUCL, INSAF, MSD, CJP, ANHAD,  etc. (contact us for details)
• Participate also in the activities / initiatives of  other like-minded individuals / NGOs / groups
• Publicize secular efforts / initiatives in our churches / institutions
• Screen films on social issues like "Parzania", "Final Solution", "Dharm", "Well Done, Abba!"
• Be visible on important issues :  speak out; participate  in campaigns / dharnas / rallies;  sign online petitions
• Beware of getting involved in issues which make us sectarian / fundamentalist / exclusive
• Denounce Communalism, Corruption, Casteism,  Consumerism, Criminalisation of society / politics
• Organize programmes / seminars / workshops on human rights / relevant issues / legal literacy / topical issues
• Constitute village / mohalla / Parish Justice and Peace Committees (JPCs)
• Initiate Human Rights Education in your Schools / Institutions
• Celebrate UN  / special  days like Women's Day (March 8^th), Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21^st),  Oscar Romero Day (March 24^th), Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14^th), Environment Day (June 5^th), Indigenous People's Day (August 9^th), Day of Non-Violence (October 2^nd), Human Rights Day (December 10^th)
• Identify  trouble makers / peace breakers / rumour mongers / divisive persons
• Stop rumours / gossip (try to authenticate things)
• Propagate the Right to Information (RTI), the Right to Education (RTE), and the  Right to Food (RTF)
• Promote and defend Constitutional Rights / Freedoms and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

 

V    KEEP OUR HOUSE IN ORDER

• Maintain and update ALL official documents (land records, building permissions, registrations, licenses) and

personal identity cards

• Keep copies of these always at hand / filed / laminated / secured –  with your ORIGINALS in a Safe Deposit
• Adhere to strict accounting / accountability procedures
• BE ALWAYS Open and Transparent
• Never indulge in any corrupt practice for whatever reasons (taking / giving bribes etc)
• Ensure timely payment of all taxes (income, building, land etc)
• Know and adhere to requisites of the Govt. / Charity Commissioner / Registrar of Societies / FCRA etc.
• Register Medical Personnel with the Medical / Nursing Council
• Provide the requisite bio-medical waste treatment / disposal facilities in hospitals / dispensaries
• Refrain from physical and / or other types of abuse on any one
• Pay just wages; have service conditions, give appointment letters (cfr. Labour laws)

Ø               ( THEY  HIT  WHERE  WE  ARE  VULNERABLE )

 

 

VI   PRE-EMPT TROUBLE

• Provide prior and authentic information/ meet your JPC
• Contact / alert your focal / nodal point immediately, if you sense trouble
• Contact the authorities, wherever possible (preferably in writing) – with a proof of submission
• Inform the police (know your local police / station); request protection (ONLY if desperately needed)
• Remember "providing security" is also an official way of them keeping tabs on us! (Don't be NAÏVE)
• Never panic / DO NOT give in to fear

 

 

VII    ADDRESS THE "REALITY"

• Do not get provoked (whatever the reason)....Be cool
• Seek the support of others (like-minded individuals / groups)
• Protect / provide shelter for the weak (old / women / children / infirm)
• Inform the police / authorities (always be courteous / polite to them)
• Be careful on how and what information you provide about others
• Photograph / video / audio record the trouble / trouble makers
• Douse out flames
• Do not destroy / alter / change / remove the evidence
• Do not underplay / exaggerate the reality

• File an FIR / complaint (name people / be accurate).  You can write your complaint in English / Gujarati / Hindi and have it attached to the FIR
• Go to a higher authority (with full details) if you have problems with your local police
• In case the police have written the FIR / recorded your statement, you MUST read it carefully before you sign it with the date and time clearly mentioned
• Make sure that the copy is signed and sealed by the concerned police official / station
• Request a copy of the FIR / complaint  for yourself (you MUST get it)

 

 

VIII   BE VIGILANT

·         "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty !   – Wendell Phillips

·         Remember, that police / official interrogations in a police station and / or our institution, must normally take place only during working hours, on working days.  Police / Government officials should officially NOT visit any institution which house women between 1800 hrs to 0900 hrs.

• DO NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION to people who approach you, who do not have an official identity and  a written authorization (signed and sealed) or if it is NOT within their PURVIEW
• Check who the APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY is…..Some officials demand information even when it does not come under their purview
• Study carefully the official / actual RULE / ACT / LAW
• Request full particulars of the person concerned (name, designation, address, telephone / mobile nos. etc)
• LISTEN to what is being asked - NEVER be in a hurry to ANSWER ORALLY
• Request that the questions are written  and a signed copy is provided to you
• In normal circumstances, DO NOT PROVIDE any official information IMMEDIATELY
• Tell  the person concerned that you MAY provide the information after some days
• No one has the right to inspect any of our registers / documents / records / premises unless there is a written warrant  from a Magistrate / Court to do so
• Meanwhile, contact a higher authority / nodal agency for further steps and before providing any information
• Remember that very often, those who seek information come to you on the dictate of individuals / groups who are hostile / inimical to us and our institutions
• A community/ institution must have only ONE spokesperson (preferably  someone conversant in the vernacular)
• Study the law / be legally literate
• Take legal counsel / be in touch with human rights lawyers.  Buy legal booklets published by the Indian Social Institute, 10 Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110 003. These booklets have been translated into Gujarati by Ashadeep, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand Dt.. 388 120

• Contact a JESA institution in your area if you need some help. JESA Gujarat groups are: BSC (Ahmedabad),   SXSSS (Ahmedabad),  Sangath (Modasa),   LAHRC (Songadh),   RSSS (Rajpipla),    Navsarjan (Surat),   Ashadeep (Vidyanagar), Nyay Darshan (Vadodara)

• Circulate and popularize relevant books / documents / clippings / films by other agencies

 

 

 

 

IX   COMMUNICATE

• Share with others what is happening / has happened
• Develop good Public Relations / Perception Management skills
• Befriend the media: give them your point of view; let them highlight the good works done by / through your institution.  Keep a data bank of Media personnel
• Contact immediately (phone / fax / email) any focal point that could take up your problem
• Send to an appropriate authority / us COMPLETE – AUTHENTIC DETAILS (FIR copies, press clippings, photos, audio / video tapes) QUICKLY (pay someone to carry them…. hire a vehicle)   BUT DO NOT DELAY!

·         Send a written complaint by Registered Post / Courier  to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at  : 

 

National Human Rights Commission,

Faridkot House,    Copernicus Marg,   New Delhi – 110001  

Tel. No. (011)  23384012      Fax No. (011)  23384863    E-Mail:  covdnhrc@nic.in  /  ionhrc@nic.in

Website: www.nhrc.nic.in      Telegraphic address: HUMANRIGHTS

 

        

 and / or to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) at :

 

 

National Commission for Minorities,

5th Floor,  Lok Nayak Bhavan,  Khan Market,  New Delhi 110 003
Tel. No. (011) 24615583   Fax No. (011) 24693302, 24642645, 24698410  (Toll free Number 1800-110-088)
E-mail: ro-ncm@nic.in      www.ncm.nic.in

 

 

X    PRASHANT will be happy to

o        assist  you in addressing the reality / problem

o        provide you with legal counsel / assistance

o        send independent teams for on-the - spot studies / investigations

o        receive from you news clippings / Patrikas / photos / other materials / evidence which can be documented

o        send you periodic information / communications by email

 

Prepared and Issued by:   

                                           PRASHANT (Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace),

                                          Hill Nagar,  Nr. Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in  Road, Ahmedabad 380052.

                                         Tel: 079 – 27455913, 66522333   Fax: 079 – 27489018   Mobile: 9824034536 

                                        email: sjprashant@gmail.com   •    website:  www.humanrightsindia.in          

                                                   

 

"  Peace will not come out of a clash of arms, but out of justice lived and done "

                                                                           -Mahatma Gandhi

                                                                                                                                                             

(  Kindly circulate / translate this document .  No permission is required but  an acknowledgement and copy would be appreciated  -  Thanks!  )

 

( SIXTH   Revised   EDITION )

 

April 14th, 2011

Ambedkar Jayanti