(yss-ny) any interest?
Vijay Prashad
FOR PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
IN SOUTH ASIA
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT
March 11, 1999
The emergence of Hindutva as a dominant political force in India is a
grave threat not only to non-Hindu minorities but to its majority
population as well. Well orchestrated violence and attacks against
Muslims, Christians, Tribals and other minorities by the Sangh Parivar
is known to all. Subversion of institutions of research and education,
harassment of intellectuals and artists opposed to Hindutva is going on
unabated. It can be said that the forces of Hindutva have permeated all
levels of civil society and that there is a need for combating these
backward formations at that very level.
Indian Diaspora in North America and elsewhere with intimate ties with
large affluent middle class in India has significantly contributed to
strengthening Hindutva politically and financially. Branches of Vishva
Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) exists in
several major centers in the US, Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa,
Caribbean and elsewhere. These backward forces are united and
resourceful. They are polluting the heart and mind of younger
generation in the name of providing roots and cultural identity. On the
other hand, secular democratic forces, which exist in great numbers,
have not been able to offer effective alternative nor been successful in
becoming the alternative voice. Democratic forces in India have begun to
recognize the importance of bringing Indian Diaspora into the common
struggle against Hindutva and other forms of religious fanaticism.
The threat of imposing the Islamic laws in Pakistan against the wishes
of the people is another dangerous trend in the region.
In order to provide a forum for discussion of these issues, the South
Asia Research and Resource Center (CERAS) and Alternatives are
organizing the North American Conference For Peace and Human Rights in
South Asia.
The objectives of this conference is to debate the significance of
changes that are taking place in India and Pakistan and our role as part
of the Diaspora in fighting against fundamentalism in South Asia,
especially India. Discussing and formulating strategies to combat the
Hindutva forces in our countries of residence.
We invite all the secular democratic people of South Asian origin living
in North America, Britain and Europe to this conference. Before we come
up with a final program we invite you to send your suggestions about
speakers and topics and if you would like to help in organizing this
conference.
On our part, we will make arrangements for providing accommodation to
all participants coming from outside Montreal. In addition we will
support the visit of up to 10 youth (between 18 and 30 years old) who
submit papers for presentation at the Conference.
DATES:
Labor Day
September 4 and 5, 1999
PLACE:
Montreal, Canada
Send your responses at:
CERAS
3680 Jeanne Mance, #440
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
H2X 2K5
Phone: (514) 982-6606, ext. 2248
Fax: (514) 982-6122
E-mail: ce...@alternatives-action.org
NOTE ON THE ORGANIZATION
CERAS: A PROFILE
Introduction
The South Asian community in Canada is largely organized into national,
regional and religious organizations. These tend to reinforce national
traditions and habits and function as institutions which make its
members feel as if they are living in the countries and communities of
their origin. Rarely do they help introduce to Canadian people at large
the social structure, the political formations and the economic
realities of South Asia in a historical and changing framework.
There are very few organizations in Quebec which operate on altogether
different principles. Their activities do not reflect national
boundaries. They introduce South Asia to Canada and Canada to South
Asians living in Canada. They work within the framework of Canadian
society and as an integral part of it. CERAS belongs to this category.
It differs from them not in spirit but in its mandate.
First and foremost CERAS believes that national conflicts among the
countries of South Asia are detrimental to the progress of the entire
region. These conflicts are promoted by sectarian political interests.
Development of the countries of South Asia requires friendship among
them, a drastic decrease in military spending and willingness to solve
outstanding problems through mutual discussion and cooperation. This
possibility exists because there is a historical, social and cultural
commonalty among peoples of South Asia; the differences are secondary.
Second, CERAS is a secular formation and it is against all organizations
and activities which promote and perpetuate conflicts on the basis of
national origin and religion. Obviously these objectives require
absolute rejection of all practices which perpetuate subordination of
women whether in the name of culture or religion. These objectives
determine the nature of CERAS programs, which aim at introducing the
true and emerging life in South Asia to people of Canada.
These principles underlie all programs and activities of CERAS. CERAS
believes that these are realistic objectives.
Recognizing the above, "South Asia Research and Resource Centre" (Centre
d'études et de ressources sur l^ŅAsie du Sud) [CERAS], open to all
Canadians, was established on non-sectarian and secular principles in
November 1992 and incorporated in May 1993.
OBJECTIVES
1. To study, collect and disseminate information on economic, social,
political and cultural developments in countries of South Asia as well
as on issues related to social justice, democratic rights, women^Ņs
rights and the environment.
2. To establish liaison between individuals and organizations in Canada
with those in South Asian countries with the purpose of increasing
fruitful exchange in various fields.
3. To organize and participate in discussions and debates, conferences
and seminars in order to promote cooperation between Canadian
organizations and their counterparts in South Asia.
4. To promote mutual friendship and cooperation among the countries of
South Asia and among communities from that region living in Canada.
NATURE OF ACTIVITIES
To achieve the above objectives the centre undertakes the following
activities:
1. Establish a library with books, magazines and documentary films about
South Asia with the view of serving as a resource centre.
2. Organize workshops, conferences, and seminars on relevant themes
concerning the economic, political, social and cultural facets of South
Asia.
3. Prepare a directory of experts in different fields who can serve as a
source of in-depth information as well as consultants for joint ventures
between countries of South Asia and Canada.
4. Research and publish articles, newsletters and other material on
development issues in the sub-continent.
5. Act as liaison between women^Ņs and grassroots non-governmental
organizations in South Asia and similar groups in Canada.
6. Organize educational trips to South Asia.
7. Develop programs to promote mutual friendship and cooperation among
different countries of South Asia and among communities from different
South Asian countries in Canada.
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
CERAS is a membership based organization governed by an elected
11-member board of directors and a 5-member executive committee and its
daily functioning is administered by a coordinator.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Prof. Daya R. Varma
Dr. Shree Mulay
Dr. Humeira Iqtidar
Mr. Minoo Gundevia
Prof. Dolores Chew
Dr. Aditya Dewan
Mr. Omer Salim
Prof.Paresh Chattopadhyay
Prof. Peter Caines
Mr. Naushad Siddiqui
Dr. Pierre Beaudet
Mr. Feroz Mehdi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vijay Prashad
Assistant Professor, International Studies
214 McCook, Trinity College, Hartford, CT. 06106.
860-297-2518.
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