By Pervez Bari
Coimbatore: A. Sayeed was unanimously elected new national president of Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI), for two years for the period of 2013-15 at the two-day National Representative Council, (NRC), meeting which concluded here at Ayesha Mahal campus on Sunday.
Sayeed was elected in place of E. Abubacker, the outgoing president who has completed two terms as president of SDPI. Sayeed was the national general secretary in the outgoing team of office-bearers of the party.
Prof. P. Koya, who was the returning officer, also announced the names of other office-bearers which included three vice presidents, three general secretaries and secretaries each along with a treasurer who were also elected on the occasion. The complete team of office-bearers which were elected late Saturday night by the 45-member National Working Committee, (NWC), are as under:-
President: A Sayeed; Vice Presidents: 1) Prof. Naznin Begum, 2) Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan & 3) Sam Kutty Jacob; General Secretaries: 1) Afsar Pasha, 2) Abdul Majeed Faizy & 3) Adv. Sharafuddin Ahmad; Secretaries: 1) Dr. Mehboob Shareef Awad, 2) Abdul Rasheed Agwan & 3) Rafeeque Mulla & Treasurer: Adv. Sajid Siddiqui.
Apart from this a 15-member National Secretariat was also formed during the NRC meeting. The members of the National Secretariat are: 1) A. Sayeed, 2) Afsar Pasha, 3) Abdul Majeed Faizy; 4) Adv. Sharafudeen Ahmed, 5) E. Abubacker, 6) Dr. Mehboob Awad Shareef, 7) Muhammed Shafi,8) VP Nasarudheen, 9) MK Faizy, 10) Noushad Punnakkal, 11) Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan, 12) Yasmeen Faruqui, 13) Dehlan Baqavi, 14) Abdul Majeed Kodlipet and 15) Adv. K M Ashraf.
It may be mentioned here that born on June 1st 1955 the new president of SDPI A. Sayeed hails from Kerala and is from Edappal in Malappuram District. He is a retired Public Relation Officer of the Postal Department.
Seven resolutions were adopted in the NRC meeting which included (i) Genocide of Sri Lankan Tamil Civilians; (ii) Intervene urgently to prevent NRI Crisis; (iii) Land Reforms; (iv) Reservation of Muslims; (v) Prevention of Communal Violence Bill; (vi) Need for Broad Based Political Coalition; (vii) Suspend AFSPA; Repeal Amendments to UAPA.
Later in the evening Coimbatore District unit of SDPI organised a public meeting wherein several thousands people turned up to hear the national and local leaders of the party. A number of issues afflicting Muslims and Dalits due to the style of governance of the governments of the day at the Centre and Tamil Nadu state ruled by traditional parties were highlighted by the speakers of SDPI. The aspirations of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is allegedly said to be architect of 2002 pogrom wherein thousands of Muslims were massacred, was also vehemently criticised by nearly all the speakers.
Meanwhile, delivering the presidential address in the opening session of the NRC meeting the outgoing national president of SDPI E. Abubacker, had said: “The Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI), is a political movement drawing inspirations from the earth as well as skies for its march forward. Our politics is not the pedestrian politics practised by the traditional political outfits. We put across a meta-politics, distinct from professional politicians and their politics. This concept takes us beyond materialistic political views. As such we expect not only results but also rewards.
In the two-day NRC meeting about 225 delegates from all over the country participated. A. Sayeed, the outgoing national general secretary, presented a detailed 35-page two years report of the activities of the SDPI since the last NRC which was held at Bangalore on May 21 & 22, 2011.
Prior to this SDPI president Abubacker hoisted the green-red flag amidst NRC members renting the air with “SDPI Zindabad”.
SDPI Manifesto
It may be mentioned here that SDPI, a registered party with the Election Commission of India, was formed to realize a social order and political system based on the Constitutional ideals of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity. The SDPI was officially constituted on June 21, 2009 in New Delhi and was formally launched a month later on July 29.
The SDPI has put forth the slogan of “Freedom from Hunger, Freedom from Fear” in its manifesto which was released in first National Delegates Meet on October 18, 2009. The manifesto calls for the empowerment of all marginalized sections of the society by mobilizing themselves into a political force, instead of remaining as mere vote banks of different political parties in elections. It has demanded balanced representation of all social groups in legislatures and all administrative bodies nominated by government, in proportion to their population.
The manifesto of the party has underlined that SDPI has been launched to mobilize people to work for alternative socio-political and economic model that is sustainable, pro-people and democratic in its core –principles. Such a model alone will take India to greater heights of prosperity and justice. “We seek the support of all people irrespective of their caste or creed”, manifesto states.
As such SDPI has been launched to empower Muslims and other deprived communities. It is time to bid goodbye to tactical voting and go for strategic plans designed to achieve adequate representation in legislative bodies, the manifesto said.
Meanwhile, the Resolutions adopted in the NRC Meeting of SDPI are as under:-
Genocide of Sri Lankan Tamil Civilians
In 2009, during the final phase of civil war in Sri Lanka, more than one lakh Tamil civilians were killed by the Sri Lankan Rajapaksa government. The international war norms were vastly violated. The women, children and surrendered militants were massacred indiscriminately. Educational institutions, hospitals, domiciles were destroyed in the pre-planned and targetted bombing of army. Banned weapons such as cluster bombs, white phosphorous, chemical weapons were used on densely populated civilian areas. A large scale of human rights violations have been reported by various rights organizations. It was witnessed and reported by the watch groups and world viewers as that was nothing but brutal genocide on Tamil community.
The SDPI demands the perpetrators of genocide and war crimes should be punished. The Sri Lankan government and its President Rajapaksa along with his accomplice should undergo the International Independent Inquiry. SDPI also demands the Indian government should initiate the effective steps to try Rajapaksa and his accomplice before International Criminal Court. SDPI condemns the Indian government for rendering help and continuing meaningless efforts to protect the Sri Lanka in the cover of friendly nation.
The shocking news is reaching the nook and corner of the world that the human rights violations have been continuing even after the ending of civil war. Thousands of Tamil youths mysteriously disappeared by the army and the police forces. The sexual violence against Tamil women is increasing day by day. The Sinhalese people are being settled in the Tamil populated areas. The environment was created by the Rajapaksa regime that the Tamil community would never live peacefully along with the Sinhalese people.
The NRC meeting of SDPI demands that the UNO and the international community to find the permanent solution for the Sri Lankan Tamil community life challenging issue. The referendum for the Sri Lankan community is the need of the hour as such it was conducted in various part of the world.
SDPI demands the international community should come forward to isolate the Sri Lankan fascist government till the permanent solution reaches the Tamil people. We demand the India should not participate in the Common Wealth Countries Conference, which is scheduled to be conducted in Sri Lanka. We also stress that the Common Wealth games should not be conducted in Sri Lanka and should be shifted to some other countries.
Intervene urgently to prevent NRI Crisis
Lakhs of Indians are working all over the world especially in Gulf and their contribution to the economy of India by flowing foreign currency have been helpful for the growth of the nation.
Saudi Arabia is now formulating hard laws which will lead to expulsion of Indian expatriates from Saudi Arabia. One of the major reasons for loss of employment is Saudi government’s refusal to grant permission for change of visa to the sponsor under whom they actually work. This is only technical while many Gulf countries allow it.
Government of India has not yet taken strong and constructive steps at the diplomatic level to solve the crisis. As a result lakh of Indians are compelled to return with their unfinished dreams.
The NRC of SDPI resolves that the Government of India should intervene without any further delay to solve the issue diplomatically by sending a team of Ministers to Saudi Arabia for concrete discussions. It is also resolved that both central and respective state governments should provide free financial aid for rehabilitating the returnees.
Land Reforms
India is an agrarian country with about 60 per cent of its population, which will come to nearly 75 cores, are directly or indirectly depending on agriculture. According to the information published by labour bureau of Central Government, 59 per cent of rural households do not posses any land. Majority of the farmers of India are working on the lands of others for meagre benefits. Fanatical gain from agriculture is enjoyed by landlords and intermediaries. Actual farmers are in extreme poverty. Transfer of agricultural land to the actual farmers is necessary to meet ends of social justice and economic development of the country. There are crores of Indians who do not have a house as their own.
As a result this NRC of SDPI hereby resolve that Central Govt. must take immediate steps to limit extend of land for each family and the excess land must be taken over and distributed among the farmers and landless farmers across the country.
Reservation Of Muslims
SDPI takes a strong exception on the attitude of Central Government on the issue of reservation to Muslims as they have will fully been deprived of their due rights, discriminating them and Christians on the basis of religion, firstly by the Presidential (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950, shamelessly ignoring and violating the provisions of the article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution of India. The government appointed committees and commissions, thereafter, have consistently given findings that the entire Muslim community has been the most marginalized and backward group, even lagging behind the Scheduled castes in India. Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report pin-pointedly recommended that in any case, 10 per cent reservation be granted to Muslims but the government has miserably failed to act upon the recommendations of justice Mishra Commission. The country may not shine, if the Muslims are mischievously denied the upliftment to get the level-playing as permitted to other weaker sections.
SDPI has, in a sustained manner, been demanding the reservation to Muslims but the government is not responding in an honest way. The party is forced to take the issue to the public if the government causes further delay, to take corrective steps for reservation of Muslims as it has been very long due.
Prevention Of Communal Violence Bill
The SDPI strongly demands for tabling of communal violence Bill in the parliament, lying with the government since the year 2011. In a number of communal incidents, including the ethnic cleansings in Assam and genocide of Sikhs in the year 1984 and genocide of Muslims in Gujarat in the year 2002, a large number of the weak, helpless and vulnerable children, women and men have fallen prey to communally ignited and government engineered hatred and violence but victims could not get justice.
The proposed law, deftly drafted with the involvement of persons, known for their secular credentials and social concern, may prove a strong tool to control group criminality in the country. Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, have always been easy target of planned blood-shedding, arson and neglect on part of conniving establishment to bring the culprits to justice, in timely help for relief and rehabilitation as well as in time-bound disposal of cases of communal incidents. UPA Government in fear of right-wing forces has been sleeping over the Bill in spite of making loud promise by its leader, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, ignoring repeated demands for passing the law. SDPI wants that if the Government does not shed procrastination on the matter, the party will be compelled to launch a nationwide agitation.
Need For Broad Based Political Coalition
The NRC meeting of SDPI reiterates the need for a broad-based political coalition against the backdrop of the fundamental changes taking place in the socio-economic situation of the country. Since the Congress government rejected the ideals of welfare state in favour of capitalist model of development, the number of the poor in the country has only increased and deprivation, poverty and hunger have become a common feature of Indian villages while the new billionaires are carving up land and natural resources. All the traditional parties including the Left have failed to stop the juggernaut which is crushing people, destroying the subsistence farm lands and driving them to urban slums as bonded labour.
At the same time there are many other formations and groups engaged in resistance to the unsustainable models of growth. Local or provincial organizations are active in struggle for land distribution, environmental protection and against forceful appropriation of farm lands. Neo-social movements are building up cadres for total empowerment of minorities or Dalits.
It is the need of the time that the Party takes initiative to bring all these multiform forces on one platform and build up a broad coalition to accelerate the new policies of alternate development and just political representation. This platform is the only alternative to the current system based on convenient distribution of political spoils among the traditional party managers engaged in perpetuating the exploitation. SDPI will start negotiations to achieve this objective forthwith.
Suspend AFSPA; repeal amendments to UAPA
The meeting of NRC of SDPI expresses its deep anguish and concern at the increasing use of repressive laws in the country to stifle legitimate democratic dissent and protest against the anti-people policies of the governments at the centre an in the states. Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis form the majority of people put behind bars without trial. In the case of Muslims it is to portray them as terrorists and in the case of others to crush resistance against deprivation and denial of land. They are tortured in to submission and put in jails using the provisions of UAPA, AFSPA, PSA etc., When TADA and POTA were enacted the government claimed they were emergency laws to meet emergencies and included sunset clause to assure the people. But exploiting the uproar against 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, the government inserted on the sly very stringent articles in the UAPA making them a permanent feature in the penal laws. The recent amendments in the act make it more expansive and vague, amenable to arbitrary interpretation and misuse by the police.
AFSPA in use in many border states are used by the security forces to trample upon the fundamental rights of the people. The troops kill people, enter their private living quarters and indulge in rape and arson. Many youths are killed in fake encounters. Likewise Public Security Acts are used by state governments to imprison and torture leaders of people’s movements. The main reason for human rights violations in the country is the existence of repressive laws. Sops and palliative measures announced by the governments on the eve of elections are not going to help thousands of remand prisoners.
The NRC is of the view that the repeal of repressive laws alone will offer relief to the people. As an interim step the government should suspend the operation of AFSPA in J & K and Manipur. All amendments made to UAPA since 2008 should be withdrawn.
[Pervez Bariis a senior Journalist based at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He is associated with IndianMuslimObserver.com as Bureau Chief (Madhya Pradesh). He can be contacted at pervezbari@eth.net]
Coimbatore: A. Sayeed was unanimously elected new national president of Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI), for two years for the period of 2013-15 at the two-day National Representative Council, (NRC), meeting which concluded here at Ayesha Mahal campus on Sunday.
Sayeed was elected in place of E. Abubacker, the outgoing president who has completed two terms as president of SDPI. Sayeed was the national general secretary in the outgoing team of office-bearers of the party.
Prof. P. Koya, who was the returning officer, also announced the names of other office-bearers which included three vice presidents, three general secretaries and secretaries each along with a treasurer who were also elected on the occasion. The complete team of office-bearers which were elected late Saturday night by the 45-member National Working Committee, (NWC), are as under:-
President: A Sayeed; Vice Presidents: 1) Prof. Naznin Begum, 2) Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan & 3) Sam Kutty Jacob; General Secretaries: 1) Afsar Pasha, 2) Abdul Majeed Faizy & 3) Adv. Sharafuddin Ahmad; Secretaries: 1) Dr. Mehboob Shareef Awad, 2) Abdul Rasheed Agwan & 3) Rafeeque Mulla & Treasurer: Adv. Sajid Siddiqui.
Apart from this a 15-member National Secretariat was also formed during the NRC meeting. The members of the National Secretariat are: 1) A. Sayeed, 2) Afsar Pasha, 3) Abdul Majeed Faizy; 4) Adv. Sharafudeen Ahmed, 5) E. Abubacker, 6) Dr. Mehboob Awad Shareef, 7) Muhammed Shafi,8) VP Nasarudheen, 9) MK Faizy, 10) Noushad Punnakkal, 11) Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan, 12) Yasmeen Faruqui, 13) Dehlan Baqavi, 14) Abdul Majeed Kodlipet and 15) Adv. K M Ashraf.
It may be mentioned here that born on June 1st 1955 the new president of SDPI A. Sayeed hails from Kerala and is from Edappal in Malappuram District. He is a retired Public Relation Officer of the Postal Department.
Seven resolutions were adopted in the NRC meeting which included (i) Genocide of Sri Lankan Tamil Civilians; (ii) Intervene urgently to prevent NRI Crisis; (iii) Land Reforms; (iv) Reservation of Muslims; (v) Prevention of Communal Violence Bill; (vi) Need for Broad Based Political Coalition; (vii) Suspend AFSPA; Repeal Amendments to UAPA.
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| A. Sayeed |
Meanwhile, delivering the presidential address in the opening session of the NRC meeting the outgoing national president of SDPI E. Abubacker, had said: “The Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI), is a political movement drawing inspirations from the earth as well as skies for its march forward. Our politics is not the pedestrian politics practised by the traditional political outfits. We put across a meta-politics, distinct from professional politicians and their politics. This concept takes us beyond materialistic political views. As such we expect not only results but also rewards.
In the two-day NRC meeting about 225 delegates from all over the country participated. A. Sayeed, the outgoing national general secretary, presented a detailed 35-page two years report of the activities of the SDPI since the last NRC which was held at Bangalore on May 21 & 22, 2011.
Prior to this SDPI president Abubacker hoisted the green-red flag amidst NRC members renting the air with “SDPI Zindabad”.
SDPI Manifesto
It may be mentioned here that SDPI, a registered party with the Election Commission of India, was formed to realize a social order and political system based on the Constitutional ideals of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity. The SDPI was officially constituted on June 21, 2009 in New Delhi and was formally launched a month later on July 29.
The SDPI has put forth the slogan of “Freedom from Hunger, Freedom from Fear” in its manifesto which was released in first National Delegates Meet on October 18, 2009. The manifesto calls for the empowerment of all marginalized sections of the society by mobilizing themselves into a political force, instead of remaining as mere vote banks of different political parties in elections. It has demanded balanced representation of all social groups in legislatures and all administrative bodies nominated by government, in proportion to their population.
The manifesto of the party has underlined that SDPI has been launched to mobilize people to work for alternative socio-political and economic model that is sustainable, pro-people and democratic in its core –principles. Such a model alone will take India to greater heights of prosperity and justice. “We seek the support of all people irrespective of their caste or creed”, manifesto states.
As such SDPI has been launched to empower Muslims and other deprived communities. It is time to bid goodbye to tactical voting and go for strategic plans designed to achieve adequate representation in legislative bodies, the manifesto said.
Meanwhile, the Resolutions adopted in the NRC Meeting of SDPI are as under:-
Genocide of Sri Lankan Tamil Civilians
In 2009, during the final phase of civil war in Sri Lanka, more than one lakh Tamil civilians were killed by the Sri Lankan Rajapaksa government. The international war norms were vastly violated. The women, children and surrendered militants were massacred indiscriminately. Educational institutions, hospitals, domiciles were destroyed in the pre-planned and targetted bombing of army. Banned weapons such as cluster bombs, white phosphorous, chemical weapons were used on densely populated civilian areas. A large scale of human rights violations have been reported by various rights organizations. It was witnessed and reported by the watch groups and world viewers as that was nothing but brutal genocide on Tamil community.
The SDPI demands the perpetrators of genocide and war crimes should be punished. The Sri Lankan government and its President Rajapaksa along with his accomplice should undergo the International Independent Inquiry. SDPI also demands the Indian government should initiate the effective steps to try Rajapaksa and his accomplice before International Criminal Court. SDPI condemns the Indian government for rendering help and continuing meaningless efforts to protect the Sri Lanka in the cover of friendly nation.
The shocking news is reaching the nook and corner of the world that the human rights violations have been continuing even after the ending of civil war. Thousands of Tamil youths mysteriously disappeared by the army and the police forces. The sexual violence against Tamil women is increasing day by day. The Sinhalese people are being settled in the Tamil populated areas. The environment was created by the Rajapaksa regime that the Tamil community would never live peacefully along with the Sinhalese people.
The NRC meeting of SDPI demands that the UNO and the international community to find the permanent solution for the Sri Lankan Tamil community life challenging issue. The referendum for the Sri Lankan community is the need of the hour as such it was conducted in various part of the world.
SDPI demands the international community should come forward to isolate the Sri Lankan fascist government till the permanent solution reaches the Tamil people. We demand the India should not participate in the Common Wealth Countries Conference, which is scheduled to be conducted in Sri Lanka. We also stress that the Common Wealth games should not be conducted in Sri Lanka and should be shifted to some other countries.
Intervene urgently to prevent NRI Crisis
Lakhs of Indians are working all over the world especially in Gulf and their contribution to the economy of India by flowing foreign currency have been helpful for the growth of the nation.
Saudi Arabia is now formulating hard laws which will lead to expulsion of Indian expatriates from Saudi Arabia. One of the major reasons for loss of employment is Saudi government’s refusal to grant permission for change of visa to the sponsor under whom they actually work. This is only technical while many Gulf countries allow it.
Government of India has not yet taken strong and constructive steps at the diplomatic level to solve the crisis. As a result lakh of Indians are compelled to return with their unfinished dreams.
The NRC of SDPI resolves that the Government of India should intervene without any further delay to solve the issue diplomatically by sending a team of Ministers to Saudi Arabia for concrete discussions. It is also resolved that both central and respective state governments should provide free financial aid for rehabilitating the returnees.
Land Reforms
India is an agrarian country with about 60 per cent of its population, which will come to nearly 75 cores, are directly or indirectly depending on agriculture. According to the information published by labour bureau of Central Government, 59 per cent of rural households do not posses any land. Majority of the farmers of India are working on the lands of others for meagre benefits. Fanatical gain from agriculture is enjoyed by landlords and intermediaries. Actual farmers are in extreme poverty. Transfer of agricultural land to the actual farmers is necessary to meet ends of social justice and economic development of the country. There are crores of Indians who do not have a house as their own.
As a result this NRC of SDPI hereby resolve that Central Govt. must take immediate steps to limit extend of land for each family and the excess land must be taken over and distributed among the farmers and landless farmers across the country.
Reservation Of Muslims
SDPI takes a strong exception on the attitude of Central Government on the issue of reservation to Muslims as they have will fully been deprived of their due rights, discriminating them and Christians on the basis of religion, firstly by the Presidential (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950, shamelessly ignoring and violating the provisions of the article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution of India. The government appointed committees and commissions, thereafter, have consistently given findings that the entire Muslim community has been the most marginalized and backward group, even lagging behind the Scheduled castes in India. Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report pin-pointedly recommended that in any case, 10 per cent reservation be granted to Muslims but the government has miserably failed to act upon the recommendations of justice Mishra Commission. The country may not shine, if the Muslims are mischievously denied the upliftment to get the level-playing as permitted to other weaker sections.
SDPI has, in a sustained manner, been demanding the reservation to Muslims but the government is not responding in an honest way. The party is forced to take the issue to the public if the government causes further delay, to take corrective steps for reservation of Muslims as it has been very long due.
Prevention Of Communal Violence Bill
The SDPI strongly demands for tabling of communal violence Bill in the parliament, lying with the government since the year 2011. In a number of communal incidents, including the ethnic cleansings in Assam and genocide of Sikhs in the year 1984 and genocide of Muslims in Gujarat in the year 2002, a large number of the weak, helpless and vulnerable children, women and men have fallen prey to communally ignited and government engineered hatred and violence but victims could not get justice.
The proposed law, deftly drafted with the involvement of persons, known for their secular credentials and social concern, may prove a strong tool to control group criminality in the country. Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, have always been easy target of planned blood-shedding, arson and neglect on part of conniving establishment to bring the culprits to justice, in timely help for relief and rehabilitation as well as in time-bound disposal of cases of communal incidents. UPA Government in fear of right-wing forces has been sleeping over the Bill in spite of making loud promise by its leader, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, ignoring repeated demands for passing the law. SDPI wants that if the Government does not shed procrastination on the matter, the party will be compelled to launch a nationwide agitation.
Need For Broad Based Political Coalition
The NRC meeting of SDPI reiterates the need for a broad-based political coalition against the backdrop of the fundamental changes taking place in the socio-economic situation of the country. Since the Congress government rejected the ideals of welfare state in favour of capitalist model of development, the number of the poor in the country has only increased and deprivation, poverty and hunger have become a common feature of Indian villages while the new billionaires are carving up land and natural resources. All the traditional parties including the Left have failed to stop the juggernaut which is crushing people, destroying the subsistence farm lands and driving them to urban slums as bonded labour.
At the same time there are many other formations and groups engaged in resistance to the unsustainable models of growth. Local or provincial organizations are active in struggle for land distribution, environmental protection and against forceful appropriation of farm lands. Neo-social movements are building up cadres for total empowerment of minorities or Dalits.
It is the need of the time that the Party takes initiative to bring all these multiform forces on one platform and build up a broad coalition to accelerate the new policies of alternate development and just political representation. This platform is the only alternative to the current system based on convenient distribution of political spoils among the traditional party managers engaged in perpetuating the exploitation. SDPI will start negotiations to achieve this objective forthwith.
Suspend AFSPA; repeal amendments to UAPA
The meeting of NRC of SDPI expresses its deep anguish and concern at the increasing use of repressive laws in the country to stifle legitimate democratic dissent and protest against the anti-people policies of the governments at the centre an in the states. Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis form the majority of people put behind bars without trial. In the case of Muslims it is to portray them as terrorists and in the case of others to crush resistance against deprivation and denial of land. They are tortured in to submission and put in jails using the provisions of UAPA, AFSPA, PSA etc., When TADA and POTA were enacted the government claimed they were emergency laws to meet emergencies and included sunset clause to assure the people. But exploiting the uproar against 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, the government inserted on the sly very stringent articles in the UAPA making them a permanent feature in the penal laws. The recent amendments in the act make it more expansive and vague, amenable to arbitrary interpretation and misuse by the police.
AFSPA in use in many border states are used by the security forces to trample upon the fundamental rights of the people. The troops kill people, enter their private living quarters and indulge in rape and arson. Many youths are killed in fake encounters. Likewise Public Security Acts are used by state governments to imprison and torture leaders of people’s movements. The main reason for human rights violations in the country is the existence of repressive laws. Sops and palliative measures announced by the governments on the eve of elections are not going to help thousands of remand prisoners.
The NRC is of the view that the repeal of repressive laws alone will offer relief to the people. As an interim step the government should suspend the operation of AFSPA in J & K and Manipur. All amendments made to UAPA since 2008 should be withdrawn.
[Pervez Bariis a senior Journalist based at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He is associated with IndianMuslimObserver.com as Bureau Chief (Madhya Pradesh). He can be contacted at pervezbari@eth.net]