Himanshu's Fast in Chhattisgarh & Solidarity Global Fast Action

[Suresh E]

INDEFINITE FAST BY HIMANSHU KUMAR IN DANTEWADA, CHHATTISGARH & SOLIDARITY ACTION

Kaveri    91-995-866-0790    kaveri.rajaraman [at] gmail [dot] com

Asti        1-607-351-4016   asti.bhatt [at] gmail [dot] com

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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 on 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 Governor, 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        +1-607-351-4016           asti.bhatt [at] gmail [dot] com
(US contact)

-AID Campaigns team

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[harish reddy]

If everyone here believe and condemn the atrocities in chattisgarh, can we plan a solidarity  peaceful campaign or any candle light activity. Without disturbing traffic and without any march type of activity, we can sit at some calm place and express our solidarity.

 

Your inputs friends?

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Thanks,
Harish
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done,it's always your choice.

[Vamsi Krishna]

I agree with you friend,

We can plan for a peaceful solidarity event.

-Vamsi

Vamsi Krishna Kunchala
Dare to Dream… Care to Win…

[Kirankumar Vissa]

I agree we should do a solidarity event, and have many people attend it and invite press too. Everyone who is interested in attending could let Harish know, and we can plan accordingly.

This is one of the most significant struggles going on in India at this time, and the government's planned response in terms of huge military action can have historic repercussions. As citizens, we need to voice our opinion strongly in favor of peaceful resolution, and with an excellent person like Himanshu Kumar taking the lead and undergoing a long fast, it is our duty to stand in solidarity.

Everyone, please let us know your response soon so that we can do a timely action.

Note that Deepala Suresh, one our Birds, is at Dantewada now right by the side of Himanshuji and he is conveying the daily news of how oppressive the situation is even for a peaceful and harmless person like Himanshuji.

Kiran

[harish reddy]

Good inputs Kiran.

 

Peaceful protest with selected people(known and trusted ones) can be planned.

It would be better if some one who have a clear picture about this struggle is present in the solidarity event so that he/she can voice our opinions.

 

Prashanthi and the one who took lot of interest in bringing all the groups together through this platform, think about this solidarity event. I hope it will gain a momentum.

If everyone is interested we can plan a event. Requesting others to respond.

[Prasanthi Uppalapati]

Hi Harish, Kiran garu and friends,

 

I would be happy if this event can be organized. I will attend the event.

 

If you can plan well in advance, we can inform to all the groups through BosF and through personal calls and request their support and participation.

 

I want to be seriously involved in a key cause (which might not be so important for many of us in the group) and so I cannot spare much time in organizing things. Also as mentioned, I want to see others take the lead and I want to participate as a member for few months.

My support will always be there for any cause that is proposed by our members as part of BosF or with their own groups.

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Thank you.

with regards,
PRASANTHI.
http://groups.google.com/group/birdsofsamefeathers
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When you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

[harish reddy]

Hi all,

Before planning an event on this. We need an idea on below things.

1) How many of us are interested in this event and the facts behind the fighting of Mr himanshu.
2) What are the pro's and con's through this event, any negative effects?

If we have a clarity on above things, we can organise a event in below manner

If few or more groups willing for an event,this event will be a combined event of the groups involved(so that we can send a message to the public and govt these many NGO's are showing solidarity to the cause of Mr. himanshu)

              (or)
As usual group of people without any name of any NGOs in the event expressing their concern.

    (or)   As part of bosf

Based on the involvment of members and groups here, we can plan the event once we have an idea on above two questions

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[Kirankumar Vissa]

Hi all,

Harish has put it well, and we would like to see responses from some more Birds.

I think that the event should be organized under joint banner of multiple groups. This could include groups that are in BoSF as well as those that aren't - like Human Rights Forum. If enough groups in BoSF sign up, then we could include BoSF's name itself to the list.

Kiran