Re: [ReachIndia] Himanshu's Hunger Fast in Chhattisgarh & Solidarity Global Fast Action

On Tue, Dec 29, 2009 at 11:01 AM, Somnath Mukherji <mukherji.somnath@gmail.com> wrote:

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 26^th, 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.

      

In the 2^nd 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:

1. Informational Rally at 5pm, 26^th 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.

2. Candle light March & Vigil at 6pm, 26^th Dec., IIT Flyover, Delhi: Seventy people carrying placards and candles took to the IIT flyover at 6pm on Dec 26^th 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.

 

3. Global Relay Hunger Fast: People from across the globe have started observing a relay fast in solidarity, on 26^th 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

Take Action
 
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

Click here to more information


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
Pl Read:
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