INDEFINITE FAST BY HIMANSHU KUMAR IN DANTEWADA, CHHATTISGARH & SOLIDARITY ACTION
Kaveri 91-995-866-0790 kaveri.rajaraman [at] gmail [dot] com
Asti 001-607-351-4016 asti.bhatt [at] gmail [dot] com_____________________________________________________________________________________________________Himanshu Kumar, a Gandhian activist who has been working in the southern Chhattisgarh for the last 2 decades has begun an indefinite hunger fast on Dec 26th, 2009 against the backdrop of increasing atrocities of the Adivasi (tribal) communities of southern Chhattisgarh.
"In a country, where most Adivasi men, women and children suffer from chronic hunger and are often starved, hunger can hardly be a form of protest. I can only express solidarity with their sufferings," said Himanshu at the outset of his fast.
Take ActionIn the 2nd week of December, close to 900 people had signed a petition asking the state and the centre to allow a democratic and non-violent padyatris (people on foot) asking for the justice and peace in Chhattisgarh. The padyatra was stopped by the administration.
Solidarity Actions:
- Informational Rally at 5pm, 26th Dec., Dadar Station East, Mumbai: About 30 activists gathered on the road and bridge sporting black arm bands and holding placards in Hindi, Marathi and English. They distributed pamphlets in solidarity with the Adivasis of Chhattisgarh.
- Candle light March & Vigil at 6pm, 26th Dec., IIT Flyover, Delhi: Seventy people carrying placards and candles took to the IIT flyover at 6pm on Dec 26th to express solidarity with the people of Dantewada and mark the beginning of Himanshu Kumar's indefinite fast. They demanded that the state stop the war against the Adivasis.
- Global Relay Hunger Fast: People from across the globe have started observing a relay fast in solidarity, on 26th Dec.
"My grandfather was an Air Marshall in the Indian Air Force. His eldest son, my uncle, is a retired Colonel from the Indian Army. No doubt, I myself wanted to enlist in the Armed Forces when I was a kid. But, today when I am seeing the armed forces being sent to eliminate fellow Indians, I am deeply saddened and ashamed," said Prahalad a faster from Albany, NY.
4. Dharna on 2nd Jan, 2010, 10am to 5pm Memorial Hall (Opp. Govt. Hospital), Chennai:
The general demands from the supporters are:
a) Stopping the displacement of Adivasis from the region; creating a terror free atmosphere to bring back all the people who have fled their homes due to violence
b) Immediate implementation of the Supreme Court order dated 17/10/2008 asking for the rehabilitation of the displaced villages
c) Immediate release of Kopa Kunjam and Sukhnath, volunteers of VCA
d) Bringing the police personnel to book who are responsible for beating up Kopa and Alban in custody
e) Ensuring the safety and justice of tribals who have lodged complaints, such as the rape victims
1) To sign up for the fast send a message to asti.bhatt [at] gmail [dot] com, with your location, date of fast and a brief about what inspires you to fast. We will fax your personal letter to the CM, Governor and DGP of Chhattisgarh.
2) Call the Govern0r, Chief Minister and DGP of Chhattisgarh with the demands above
Sri Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: +91-771-2221001
Sri ESL Narasimham, Governor of Chhattisgarh: +91-771-2331101
Sri Vishwaranjan, DGP of Chhattisgarh +91-9424207222
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Contacts:
Kaveri +91-995-866-0790 kaveri.rajaraman [at] gmail [dot] com
(India contact)
Asti +001-607-351-4016 asti.bhatt [at] gmail [dot] com
(US contact)
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Palash Biswas
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