ARUN FERREIRA: A SAGA IN COURAGE by Fr. Cedric Prakash sj

ARUN FERREIRA: A SAGA IN COURAGE

-Fr. Cedric Prakash sj*

On September 27^th 2011 Arun Ferreira was released from the Nagpur jail after being illegally incarcerated since May 2007 on charges of being a naxalite.  Just as he stepped out from the gates of the jail even as his aged parents and other family members waited outside the jail to welcome him back into their loving embrace, Arun was forcibly arrested once again and that too without a warrant.

The next day, on September 28^th he was produced at the JMFC Court in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra in a fabricated case of criminal conspiracy of 2007 despite the fact that the Trial Court had exonerated him of every single charge the previous day.  He continued to languish in jail till January 3^rd 2012 when he was granted bail; only on January 29^th 2014 was he finally acquitted of all the false cases which were foisted on him by the State and other vested interests.

Arun Ferreira is a saga in courage. An alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, he is basically a human rights defender, engaging in social and political activism. As a college student, he organised students to fight for their rights and against social atrocities.  He deeply involved himself in the ‘right-to-housing’ struggles of Mumbai slum dwellers and later on with the tribals and other marginalised communities in rural Maharashtra. For his commitment to the rights of the poor, he was picked up in 2007 and was falsely charged of being a naxalite. For nearly five years in jail after that - besides being charged with several crimes like criminal conspiracy, murder, possession of arms and rioting - he was tortured and suffered greatly from police brutality.

Arun was our guest at ‘PRASHANT’ on November 16^th 2015, the day which is observed by the United Nations as ‘the International Day of Tolerance’. We had invited a select group of our collaborators and well-wishers to listen to his painful and traumatic experience in prison. Without rancour or anger, but in a way which touched the hearts of all present, he shared with those present the ordeal of being a prisoner in India today.

 His prison memoir entitled ‘Colours of the Cage’ contains a fair bit of what he went through in jail. On the cover page of the book is a note from well-known author and activist Arundhati Roy “Arun Ferreira gives us a clear-eyed, unsentimental account of custodial torture, years of imprisonment on false cases and the flagrant violation of procedure that passes as the Rule of Law. His experience is shared by tens of thousands of our fellow countrymen and women, most of whom do not have access to lawyers or legal aid. This country needs many more books like this one”.

During his conversation at ‘PRASHANT’, Arun highlighted the need and importance for civil society to work for prison reforms; the condition in the jail, he says, are abominable, inhuman with very archaic rules which govern them. Secondly, he asserted, that people should come out to fight draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 2004 which is draconian, violative of basic human rights and goes against the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India; such anti-people laws need to be abolished.

In the foreword to ‘Colours of the Cage’, Naresh Fernandes writes “Arun Ferreira reminds us that diversity of opinion and debate are essential for any society to flourish. The worst thing we can do to ourselves is to imprison our imagination”.

Today, Arun continues his activism as an advocate focussing on issue of political prisoners, prison reforms and on the state of Indian democracy. He is truly a prophet for our times: a saga in courage!

20^th November, 2015

*(Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is the Director of PRASHANT, the Ahmedabad-based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace.)

Address: ‘PRASHANT’, Hill Nagar, Near Saffron Hotel, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad - 380052

Phone: (079) 27455913, 66522333   Fax:  (079) 27489018    Email: sjprashant@gmail.com     www.humanrightsindia.in

JOIN THE GLOBAL CLIMATE MARCH!

Let’s pray with our feet on November 29. View this email in your browser

Dear Cedric, The Catholic Climate Petition has over 500,000 petition signatures from over 140 countries!   While our spirits are high with this accomplishment, our hearts are heavy with the recent attacks in Paris and Beirut.  We offer our prayers of healing and courage where there is grief and fear. And now it is time to stand behind our signatures with a renewed resolve to embrace fully God’s infinite love and mercy. In 12 days, hundreds of thousands of families and people of all ages will be taking to the streets for the Global Climate March on November 29. Help us get at least 100,000 Catholics to “pray with their feet” by joining this historic march. We have put together a Global Climate March Toolkit with everything you need to reach out to your priest or fellow parishioners: posters, banners, talking points, sample letters, and more. Then dedicate your efforts to mobilize for the Global Climate March to Christ when we make our 5th stop in this Month of Climate Action: Journeying with Laudato Si’ on Sunday, November 22 for the Feast of Christ the King. Here is this week’s checklist:

CHECKLIST FOR STOP #5: NOVEMBER 22, FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING ▢ ACT: Promote the Global Climate March in your parish by asking your parish priest if you can post one of these posters on the church billboard and/or or make one of these announcements after mass. Invite 10 people to join you in the Global Climate March by sharing this video or one of these banners on social media or through email. ▢ REFLECT: This week we reflect on chapters 3 and 4 of Laudato Si’. The Franciscan resource we are using asks us to reflect on several questions including, “Pope Francis affirms that “intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice”. What must be done to guarantee a better future for the generations to come?” ▢ PRAY: As we near the end of the liturgical season we reflect on the enduring power of Christ and His selfless love which we are all called to embody in our own actions. We pray for the people of Paris, Beirut, Kenya, Burundi and other places living in the aftermath of recent and ongoing waves of violence. With the recent attacks in Paris, we especially #Pray4cop21 that a strong climate agreement will still emerge in the upcoming negotiations. Visit the Month of Climate Action website Reflecting on the recent tragedies in Paris, Pope Francis shared  “Jesus’ triumph will be the triumph of the cross, the demonstration that the sacrifice of oneself out of love for one’s neighbor, in imitation of Christ, is the only victorious power and the only stable point in the midst of the upheavals and tragedies of the world.”   It is love that will triumph over the sins of the world, from the violence committed in Paris to those being being perpetrated against our Mother Earth. May your participation in caring for our common home reflect how Christ’s power of love can transform this world. Your companions on the journey, Christina, Tomas, Mary, Janine, Igor, Fabian, Leila, Lou, Marie, and the rest of the GCCM team P.S. Here is the beautiful timeline of our journey together:   Share                                                                          Tweet                                                                          Forward                                                                          Copyright © 2015 Global Catholic Climate Movement, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed the Catholic Climate Petition. Our mailing address is: Global Catholic Climate Movement PO Box 29106 Washington, DC 20017 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

MAINSTREAMING TOLERANCE by Fr. Cedric Prakash sj (November 16th 2015)

MAINSTREAMING TOLERANCE

-Fr. Cedric Prakash sj*

Never before in the history of post-independent India has “intolerance” become such a subject of heated debate, much divisiveness and which seems to bleed the heart of ‘the idea of India’.

Intolerance, one might argue has always existed! We see small and big acts taking place all over society and even in the security of one’s own family.  As Indians, we do pride ourselves of being a ‘tolerant people’ and we certainly get very upset when growing acts of intolerance hog the limelight.  In a defense reaction, we put on a mask saying “we are not like that”. This was so evident, when a few days ago, a motley group met the President and the Prime Minister ‘to protest’ against those who were saying that India is becoming an intolerant nation! The irony is that this very group was abusive of some of the media present at their protest and they also made very intolerant remarks against those taking a stand against intolerance!

In recent months, there have been a spate of intolerant acts all over the country: from the killing of rationalists like Pansare and Kalburgi to the burning of dalit children; from ‘banning’ programmes by Pakistanis in India to the killing of someone who apparently eaten beef. In the wake of these acts, some of the most eminent people of the country including several intellectuals like writers, scientists, historians and even celebrity film stars, have strongly voiced their protests; some of them have had the courage to return their duly merited awards   from the Government. The point they have been making is that the Government of the day does not show any political will to address these acts of hate, divisiveness and violence but on the contrary, it even seems to patronise, shield and provide legitimacy to the perpetrators of these heinous acts.

This intolerance was symbolised in the fact that several functions were held on November 15^th in different parts of the country to honour Nathuram Godse, the man who killed Mahatma Gandhi; for his dastardly deed, Godse was hanged on November 15, 1949 and the fact that right-wing factions have the audacity to treat him like a hero speaks volumes for itself.

It is therefore appropriate that the United Nations every year invites all member States to observe November 16^th as ‘the International Day for Tolerance’.  The meaning of “tolerance” provided by UNESCO “is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human”.  “Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is above all an active attitude prompted by the recognition of the Universal Human Rights and fundamental freedoms of others.” “Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism and the rule of the law......it does not mean toleration of social injustices or the abandonment or weakening of one’s convictions”. A meaningful definition indeed!

The terrible attacks in Paris on November 13^th certainly need to be condemned by one and all!  At the same time, one should never forget the many millions who are killed and brutalised throughout the world all the time but do not get the media attention and the world leaders speaking up for them. In April, more than 148 people (of these 142 were students) were killed by an Islamic extremist group in Kenya; those executed were mainly Christians. There is a muted response to the killings of innocent people be it in Syria and Lebanon, Egypt and Afghanistan, Palestine and in several parts of Africa. The refugee crisis is certainly an outcome of great intolerance.

Exactly twenty-six years ago, on 16^th November 1989 six Jesuit Priests together with their housekeeper and her fifteen year daughter, were brutally murdered in El Salvador by the military junta of that country. The powerful, vested interests were not able to tolerate the way the Jesuits took a stand on behalf of the poor and against the growing injustices and fascist acts of those in power.  We remember these martyrs today.

We have much to internalise and to mainstream where tolerance is concerned. Let’s hope and pray that on a day like this, each one of us has the courage and the humility to act: to be more tolerant and to make our world a more humane, just and peaceful place for all!

November 16^th 2015

*(Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is the Director of PRASHANT, the Ahmedabad-based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace.)

Address: ‘PRASHANT’, Hill Nagar, Near Saffron Hotel, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad - 380052

Phone: (079) 27455913, 66522333 Fax:  (079) 27489018    Email: sjprashant@gmail.com       www.humanrightsindia.in                         

ANOTHER 14th OF NOVEMBER -Fr Cedric Prakash sj

ANOTHER 14th OF NOVEMBER 

-Fr Cedric Prakash sj

It’s November 14^th 2015! Awoke this morning after a short and restless sleep, to learn of the terrible attacks in Paris the previous night! At the Eucharist with the Missionaries of Charity- we prayed for all those affected by this latest round of violence! Later, I posted this message on my facebook page        “ We condemn and are pained by the inhuman and dastardly act of violence in Paris
Our hearts go out to all those affected very specially the families who have lost a loved one 
The perpetrators must be brought to book particularly those who master- minded the attack.
We pray and hope that every form of violence is eschewed by all”

And during the day, remembered the many millions killed and affected by man’s inhumanity to man, all over the world! We hardly raise our voices when innocent people (children, women and men) from Palestine and Lebanon and Afghanistan and Syria and in other places are killed or made refugees, just because they are ‘NOT LIKE US!’We forget that pain and suffering, brutality and violence to anyone anywhere- should be condemned in no uncertain terms. We also need to become aware of the role that the powerful nations, the big corporations (specially the arms and ammunition industry) and other vested interests (like fundamentalist and fascist forces), play in fomenting violence, hate and in keeping people divided!

Today we celebrate the memory of  St.Joseph Pignatelli-who a little over two hundred years ago-literally became the bridge between the old and new Society of Jesus! His dogged determination ensured that the Society which was suppressed for several years- would ultimately be restored to its lawful place in the Church and the world. Several years later, Fr Pedro Arrupe (born on this day in 1907), as the Superior General of the Society –initiated the faith & justice mandate into the Jesuit way of proceeding. On this day in 1980 Fr Arrupe gave the world a most precious gift: the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).

Speaking to day in Rome to the JRS, Pope Francis said, “ Father Arrupe, who had lived through the atomic bomb explosion at Hiroshima, realized the scope of that tragic exodus of refugees.  He saw it as a challenge which the Jesuits could not ignore if they were to remain faithful to their vocation.  He wanted the Jesuit Refugee Service to meet both the human and the spiritual needs of refugees, not only their immediate need of food and shelter, but also their need to see their human dignity respected, to be listened to and comforted.”There is another ‘special’ about this red-letter ‘Jesuit Day’: in 1983- Gujarat became a Jesuit Province after being a Vice-Province for several years!

It’s Children’s Day too! As we celebrate the simplicity and joy, the innocence and spontaneity of a child– we remember the many millions of children all over who are denied their childhood. This tragedy, we all know, is caused by those who have allowed evil to reign supreme in their lives! This day dedicated to the children is because of Jawaharlal Nehru our first Prime Minister; he did so much to build a modern India. We celebrate him with gratitude on his 125^th birth anniversary!

Its five years now since my beloved mother Cynthia was called to her eternal reward   and I say

 “Mum - 
FIVE YEARS TODAY-since you said your earthly GOODBYE
You did so, at the twinkle of an eye: suddenly and silently!
As the year fly by-memories grow deeper and fonder
The pain of you not being around -ever more harder!
The values you embodied and communicated to all,
Will always be treasured by both big and small!
Your strength was compassion, fortitude and fidelity
You were truly a woman of substance and integrity!

THANK YOU MUM! FOR BEING THE WONDERFUL PERSON YOU WERE!
INTERCEDE FOR US FROM ABOVE!”

Today was packed with plenty more – people and events; interactions and movements! It is also a special day for many I know: birthdays, anniversaries and more!

As I look back at a day which was NOT like any other day- I thank God for it; I pray for all those in pain and suffering; and I tell the Lord “well, it was certainly another 14^th of November !”

THANK YOU MUM !!!

 - MUM - 

FIVE YEARS TODAY-since you said your earthly GOODBYE

You did so, at the twinkle of an eye:suddenly and silently!

As the year fly by-memories grow deeper and fonder

The pain of you not being around -ever more harder!

The values you embodied and communicated to all,

Will always be treasured by both big and small!

Your strength was compassion,fortitude and fidelity

You were truly a woman of substance and integrity!

THANK YOU MUM! 

FOR BEING THE WONDERFUL PERSON YOU WERE!

INTERCEDE FOR US FROM ABOVE!

GUJARAT CITIZEN’S STATEMENT AGAINST INTOLERANCE

GUJARAT CITIZEN’S STATEMENT  AGAINST INTOLERANCE

Contact: Narmad Meghani Library,

Opp. Natraj Railway Crossing,

Meethakhali, Ellisbridge,

Ahmedabad-380006.

Ph. No. (079) 26579962.

10 November 2015

To,

Sh. Pranab Mukherjee,

The President of India,

Rashtrapati Bhavan,

New Delhi.

GUJARAT CITIZEN’S STATEMENT 

AGAINST INTOLERANCE

His excellency,

We, the concerned citizens of Gujarat, stand by the artists, scientists, writers, academicians, intellectuals who oppose the atmosphere of intolerance, hatred and fear; and return their awards. We feel that this is the time when the civil society should rise and resist what is going on in the country. Intolerance as well as communal and caste hatred have been in the country since long. But after the rise of Mr. Narendra Modi and RSS, intolerance, violence and hatred have become the instruments of power and have been politically and deliberately encouraged. The cold blooded murder of the intellectuals, two in Maharashtra and one in Karnataka is its glaring example.

The fanatical propagation of cow slaughter and killing people in the name of so-called holy cow, the horrible incident of Dadri and burning of Dalits in Haryana have become incidents in the country with the reason that atmosphere of fear and insecurity has increased throughout the country. There are direct attacks on freedom of speech and expression. Still worse, these violent incidents are supported by the member of ruling party and silence of the Prime Minister show that present government is committed to this ideology. 

Arrogant defense like statement of Mr. Arun Jaitley that Mr. Narendra Modi has become the object of great intolerance is ridiculous because the non violent opposition to intolerant Modi cannot be considered as intolerance towards Modi. We believe that these acts of violence, hatred and intolerance pose a great threat to democratic, secular, pluralistic India which is the very foundation of our constitution. All these incidents are proof of a conscious movement towards fascism based upon racial pride, violence, hatred and intolerance. These anti democratic forces seem to be determined to convert India into a theocratic state where all minorities and non believers have to live at the mercy of majority. This is also violating the fundamental duty of every citizen to develop the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reform.  

Prime Mister Mr. Modi in his foreign tour once pronounced that now people feel proud to be an Indian. But the reality is just the opposite. The recent incidents show that people rather feel ashamed. The Sangh Parivar and the government want to take the country into the ancient age. In Gujarat also, the atmosphere of Fear, Hatred and Intolerance prevails. Freedom of Expression and Right to Protest are denied. The protestors of Dholera SIR have to approach the High Court for their Protest March & Sedition Act is used for Political Vendetta in the State.

Under the circumstances, we request you to intervene and maintain the democratic and secular fabric of our country.

We also appeal sane, liberal and progressive members of the civil society to stand up and resist the direct attacks on basic principles of Constitution.

N.B. WE REQUEST YOU TO GIVE AN APPOINTMENT DURING YOUR VISIT TO GUJARAT (AHMEDABAD) ON 1^ST OF DECEMBER.

Yours Sincerely,

We are

PRAKASH N. SHAH(President, PUCL, Gujarat) M. 9879919421 

GIRISH PATEL(Well known advocate)

MALLIKA SARABHAI(Danseuse and activist)

PROF. ROHIT SHUKLA(President, Gujarat, AISEC)

INDUKUMAR JANI(Editor, ‘Naya Marg’)

PROF. DINESH SHUKLA

DWARIKANATH RATH(Secretary, M.S.D.)

DR. RAGHU RANGARAJAN(Scientist         )

PROF. GHANSHYAM SHAH(Social Scientist)

GAUTAM THAKER(General Secretary, Gujarat, PUCL)

FR. FRANCIS PARMAR

URVISH KOTHARI(Journalist)

FATHER CEDRIC PRAKASH(Director, PRASHANT)

SAGAR RABARI(Secretary, Gujarat Khedut Samaj)

PROF. BHARAT MEHTA(Reader, M.S. University)

PROF. BABUBHAI DESAI

PANKTI JOG(RTI Activist)

MANISHI JANI(Gujarati Writers’ Association)

SAROOP DHRUV(Writer)

PROF. SANJAY BHAVE

HIREN GANDHI(Director, ‘Darshan’         )

SVATI JOSHI(Retired Professor, Delhi University)

DHIRU MISTRY(Artist)

VINAY MAHAJAN(Artist, ‘Loknaad’         )

CHARUL BHARWADA(Artist, ‘Loknaad’)

MEENAKSHI JOSHI(Activist)

RAJANI DAVE(‘Gujarat Sarvoday Mandal’)

PROF. KUNTAL MEHTA

DILIP CHANDULAL(Activist)

PROF. DHAVAL MEHTA       

HARINESH PANDYA(‘Janpath’)

MANJULA PRADEEP(‘Navsarjan’)

RANJANBEN DESAI(Citizen)

NAYANABEN SHAH(Citizen)

HANSABEN SHAH(Citizen)

NILA ANIL BHATT(Citizen)

PROF. VIPIN H. SHAH

MAHENDRA JETHMALANI(‘Patheya’      )

BHARATSINH JHALA(‘CRANTI’)

SADHANABEN PANDYA(Citizen)

PERSIS GINWALLA(‘JAAG’)

MEHUL DEVKALA(Artist)

DR. HANIF LAKDAWALA(‘Sanchetna’)

DR. JHARNA PATHAK(Economist)

PRAVIN PANDYA(Writer        )

BEENA MACWAN(Activist)

ARIF MIRZA(Citizen)

JOHN. DSOUZA(Citizen)

PROF. MANGALABEN MEHTA

ISHWAR PRAJAPATI(Activist )

ASHOK SHRIMALI(Activist)

DR. ILABEN JOSHI

MAHESH PANDYA(Editor, Paryavaran Mitra)

PROF. HEMANTKUMAR SHAH

DR. NIVYA PATEL

RAVJI SONDARVA(Cinematographer)

REKHA MAHIDA(Citizen)

DR. DAMINI SHAH

KANJI PATEL(Litterateur)

DR. SUBHASH JOSHI(Social Scientist)

YASHWANT MEHTA(Writer)

PROF. KANU KHADADIYA   

MAHADEV VIDROHI(Sarvodaya Seva Sangh)

HAPPY DIWALI !!! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

HAPPY DIWALI    &    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

-

 

Dear Friend,

This DIWALI
We invite you
To join us

In
Lighting a lamp
For
Truth and Justice!!!

To radiate a light
For
tolerance and inclusiveness!!!

To BE the Light
Which
Dispels darkness !!!

Above all
as you
Light the lamp say
"NO" to firecrackers and noise pollution

HAPPY DIWALI    &    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
With our warm wishes,

Fr Cedric Prakash 

& ALL at

"PRASHANT"

A HAPPY DIWALI FOR INDIA!

The ELECTIONS IN BIHAR were surely a REFERENDUM on the DIVISIVE, HATE, INTOLERANT , COMMUNAL and ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICS OF THE BJP-RSS COMBINE..Their POLARISATION DID NOT SUCCEED ..The COUNTRY CAN NOW LOOK TO A HAPPY and INCLUSIVE DIWALI!!!!