India: The ticking "minority" time bomb (Part II)

Not from any Movie, this shot was taken during the Pune Riots some time back and capture the Extremist Hindu frenzy!

This poignant shot of Qutubuddin Ansari, a small time muslim trader in Gujarat, was the face of the hapless muslim in Gujarat riots! Fortunately, Ansari lived that day, unfortunately so has the frenzy!

In a three page round up of her report to the UN, Asma has summed up the current religious and political assessments very thoughtfully!

She has lauded the efforts of the existing government in terms of its 15 point programme for welfare of minorities, Justice Sachar and Justice Mishra committee reports. She has also lauded the efforts of the national commission on minorities and national media channels and citizens who have risked their own lives and saved the lives of many during the communal riots!

She has however, indicated a difference in the intent of many state governments with regard to intolerance and discrimination of minorities and other religions! Gujarat and Orissa find a mention amongst the errant states!

To quote Asma, "Organised mobs taking roots in religious idealogies have unleashed an all pervasive fear of mob violence." Taking a shot at the adminitrative and government lack of action and intention, she states that law enforcement agencies are often reluctant to take action against individuals or groups thatperpetrate violence in the name of religion or belief. (We all know that this can happen only and only if there is a political motive and backing to such individuals or groups.)

Drawing on an earlier report, Asma emphasizes that there is a real risk that communal violence may repeat unless political exploitation of communal distinction is effectively prevented and advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence is adequately addressed!

The report urges the authorities to take swift action and measures to protect the minorities and prevent communal violence. It also urges the judiciary to effect a time bound closure to communial riot cases and bringing the guilty to the bars!

One of the most impressive points made by Asma is to scruplously implement the Representation of Peoples act 1951 which provides for disqualification of membership of parliament and state legislatures of persons who promote feelings of enimity or hatred between different classes of citizens on grounds of race, religion, caste, community or language! That would debar the use of vote bank politics for serving petty means!

India: The ticking "minority" time bomb (Part I)

Asma Jahangir, Pakistani human rights activist, UN special rapporteur has reported India in a poor light in terms of freedom of religion and beliefs. The report alludes to a real risk of religious strife in India.

http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2009/02/11/un-report-says-real-risk-of-indian-religious-strife/

In her report to the UN, Asma raises several issues of concern on

1. The situation of religious and beleief minorities

2. Justice for victims and survivors of communal violence

3. Freedom of religion and belief in Jammu and Kashmir

4. Negative impact of laws on religious conversion in several states

5. Implications of religion based personal laws

Asma, reports about the plight of Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa where Communal violence had claimed 40 christian lives, 4000 christian homes destroyed, 50 churches demolished. 20000 people are living in relief cmapigns and 40000 hiding in jungles. Access to food, drinking water, clothes, sanitation and healthcare to these people is abysmal

Asma also brings to light the "ghetto"ization of Muslim community in certain parts of India. It speaks about discrimation in work space, economic activity and civic liberties. The Militant strikes only exacerbate the situation hardenning the rift lines. Within the ghetto, Communalism breeds in poor living and flawed communal education. This in turn becomes the breeding ground for militants!

The report expressses concern on the extended timeframe of investigations in cases involving communal riots, violence and massacres. Cases in point are Operation Blue Star (Punjab 1984), Babri Masjid Demolition (Ayodhya, 1992), Godhra (Gujarat, 2002). While these memories haunt the victims, the impunity olny emboldens the perpetrators of such violence!

J&K has been an old issue in these UN rapporteurs! Discrimination against Muslims and Expulsion of the Kashmiri pandits is still a wedge stuck between the communities in J&K. The Muslim population is vulnerable to the excesses of the security forces while the entire population is victim of violence perpetrated by the Islamic militants! Lately, there has been a de-escalation fo the violence but Muslims from Srinagar are still denies rights such as admission to hotels in other parst of the country because they are muslims from Kashmir!

In absence of a proper legislative framework and understanding, laws against religious conversions, these can be seen as a violation of personal rights! Inadequate legislaturehas adverse consequences for religious minorities and has reportedly fostered mob violence aganist them!

Read the full UN report here: http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G09/104/62/PDF/G0910462.pdf?OpenElement