No Encounter Happened in Gadchiroli on April 22nd 2018
in Human Rights — by Peoples Union for Democratic Rights — April 25, 2018

The killings of at least 37 Maoists by the combined force of the CRPF and the C-60, the elite unit of the Gadchiroli Police, on 22nd and 23rd April 2018 raises some very disturbing questions about the state’s methods of conducting ‘encounters’. In the morning of 22nd April, 64 police and paramilitary personnel gunned down 16 Maoists in Karnasur jungle in Bhamragod area in eastern Maharashtra. The following evening, 23rd April, the police commandos and security personnel killed another 6 Maoists in the Rajaram Khandla jungle, in the Jimalgatta area of Gadchiroli district. Subsequently, on 24th April, the police discovered 15 bloated bodies of suspected Maoists in the Indravati River. As of now, the toll stands at 37. While the Maoists have not commented to the attack, the police has claimed that the Maoists have lost three of their high-ranking commanders and seven women too. Hailed as the biggest anti-Maoist operations in four decades, the entire Gadchiroli district has been sealed off and the police-paramilitary combine are carrying out searches and raids.

When the state declares war on its people via encounters, the modus operandi of state is rarely questioned as it is believed that the state is fighting a just war against terrorists and anti-nationals who mostly double up as extortionists and harass the local population—like the Maoists. But, did an encounter really happen at Tadgaon?

Media reports suggest that the encounter on 22nd April began after a patrolling unit received specific inputs about the movement of the PerimilliDalam near Tadgaon, about 150 kms from the police headquarters at Bhamragod. The police surrounded the Maoists from all sides while they were having breakfast and were resting. Not a single security personnel was grievously injured or killed. There was no encounter; the state used a time-tested strategy of launching a one-sided attack with under barrel grenade launchers (UBGLs), meant to inflict a large number of casualties. The SP Gadchiroli, Abhinav Deshmukh, denied knowledge of how many rounds were fired. It is known that ‘encounter specialists’ are rewarded with promotions and awards. Not surprisingly, there were celebrations at Tadgaon after the ‘success’ of 22nd and 23rd April and a video released shows the jawans dancing to the foot tapping number of a popular Haryanvi song featuring Sapna Choudhary.

It may well be argued that the Maoists have engaged in similar attacks: in Chintalnar (Chhattisgarh) in 2010 when 76 CRPF jawans were killed or in Burkapal (Chhattisgarh) in 2017 when 25 CRPF jawans were ambushed. The pertinent point that is easily forgotten is that the state has the arsenal and not the Maoists. And, when the state decides to kill and not engage in political dialogue with its adversaries, it is necessary to revisit how the state looks upon its enemies and why.In 2010 the then Home Minister, P Chidambaram had said, “If this is war, it is a war that has been thrust upon the state by those who do not have a legitimate right to carry weapons or kill”. In 2016, his successor, Rajnath Singh said, “There is no place for violence in a developed society and it is my desire to see that instances are brought down to an end in this country.” There is no better proof than these ‘desirous’ statements of our Home Ministers, past and present and, which are reflected in the modus operandi of the present UP Chief Minister who has authorized no less than 1000 encounters in less than a year’s time.

If the state looks upon itself as the protector of the people, it has to be bound by lawfulness. PUDR strongly criticizes the mass killings at Gadchiroli on April 22nd and 23rd and the harassment that the local population is receiving at the hands of lawless security personnel in the name of searches and raids.

Shashi Saxena and Shahana Bhattacharya

Secretaries, PUDR

www.pudr.org

The Indian people gives an example – millions decide to join the BDS. / Einar

16 Million-Strong Organization In India Joins The BDS Movement
http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/10/27/16-million-strong-organization-in-india-joins-the-bds-movement/
Earlier this month, the largest national organization representing farmers and agricultural workers in India, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), has announced that it has joined the BDS movement. AIKS is is spread across 21 states in India and is over 16 million members strong.

https://bdsmovement.net/

Letter From GN Saibaba
——————————-

Dear vasantha

I am frightened to think of coming winter. Already I am shivering with continuous fever. I do not have a blanket. I do not have a sweater/jacket. As temperature goes down excruciating pain continuously in my legs and left hand increases. It is impossible for me to survive here during the winter that starts from November. I am living here like an animal taking its last breaths. Somehow 8 months I managed to survive. But I am not going to survive in the coming winter. I am sure. It is of no use to write about my health any longer.

In any case, please finalize the senior counsel by or before the end of this month. Then inform Mr. Gadling to file my bail application in the first week of November or last week of October itself. You remember if this is not done in this way, my situation will be out of hands. I am not responsible. I am making clear to you. Hereafter I am not going to write about it any longer.

You should talk to Mrs Rebeccaji and Nandita Narain. You also talk to Prof. Haragopal and others. Explain the entire situation. You need to hurry up. I am feeling so depressed for requesting you all so many times like a beggar, a destitute. But none of you are moving an inch, no one understand my present condition. No one understands 90% disabled person is behind bars struggling with one hand in condition and suffering with multiple ailments. And no one cares for my life. This is simply criminal negligence, a callous attitude.

Please take care of your health. Your health is my health and entire family’s health. There is no one else to take care of your health for now. Till I am in your presence, you have to take care of your health without any negligence.

Lots of love
Yours
Sai

India stands at place 141 of 181 in  the world regarding air pollution. / Einar

A Comprehensive Study of Air Pollution in India
by Hanzala Aman
http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/07/19/a-comprehensive-study-of-air-pollution-in-india/
The review article discusses the condition of Air Quality and Pollution in India with relevant references from prominent sources like The Environment Performance Index 2016, The Global Green Economy Index (GGEI) 2016, Ambient Air Pollution Database, WHO, May2016, Clear the air for children: The impact of air pollution on children UNICEF 2016 and many others. It comprehensively studies the condition of Air pollution in India in present and future context along with the sources of the pollution, its impacts on health & environment, economic damage caused and brief explanation on how to tackle with it.

Saibaba, an English teacher with 90 percent disability, and five others were convicted on March 7, 2017 by Gadchiroli sessions court in Maharashtra for allegedly having links with Maoists. The judgment was built on flimsy grounds, concocted evidences and tutored witnesses. Saibaba was first arrested in 2014, after 14 months stay in the Nagapur Central Jail, Supreme Court granted him bail on June 2016 as his health condition deteriorated. Saibaba and four others have been sentenced to life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Another accused Vijay Tirki was sentenced for ten years rigorous prison term. Though all six have been convicted, none of them has been remotely linked to any terrorist and disruptive activities. What is more worrisome is the judge himself admits that it is only the law of the land that stops him from exterminating those who stands in the way of development. And in addition he says “His hands were tied by law which did not permit him to deliver a judgment beyond life imprisonment else could do so”. Saibaba was fighting for people’s rights and everything was within the ambit of Constitution. But he was denied basic rights such as medical treatment. When judiciary itself starts bypassing its role, then it points towards a dying democracy. It is ironic that even while holding these six people are so dangerous that they should be incarcerated for major part of their lives, the judgment fails to point out a single instance of violence that these people have been conspirators in or lent logistic support to.

Dr. GN Saibaba’s case needs a special mention not only due to his 90 percent disability, but also due to his failing health conditions. In fact just before the judgment was delivered, Saibaba was hospitalized and was undergoing treatment for gall bladder stones. Apart from chronic issues with his heart and high blood pressure, Saibaba was also suffering from acute gastric condition resulting in cardiac condition along with palpitations. It was indeed the prolonged incarceration in the infamousanda cell as an under trial that worsened his condition to this level. Now even before he could fully recuperate, the judgment has been delivered and we fear that given the dismal track record of the Nagapur jail authorities in caring for his health, his life is in peril. As Hem Mishra’s father said“in this Democracy, freedom is only for the ruling classes but the marginalized people and those who stand with their struggles are being persecuted”. Saibaba was in pre-operative treatment when he was convicted in March and immediately incarcerated and, instead of providing lifesaving treatment, the prison staff have refused to let him be attended by the jail doctor. The condition of Saibaba, currently lodged at anda cell of Nagapur central jail, was deteriorating day by day. He is unable to urinate and his stomach ache had worsened. Before his arrest, Saibaba was undergoing a treatment at Rockland hospital in Delhi. The doctors there had advised surgery for removal of his gall bladder. Despite availing bail, most of his time was spent in hospitals in Delhi and Hyderabad for the multiple ailments he was suffering from. Particularly this time earlier to his travel on the Day of Judgment he was in the hospital admitted with chest pain. In the test it was found that his Pancreas has damaged in gall bladder and to be operated within three weeks. It is not to say that this health report is to be considered on humanitarian grounds by the court but only register the protest against the extra-legal observation of the judgment.

It’s a gross violation of justice which puts all democratic values on trial. It is an attack on all sections of intellectuals, teachers and students who espouse and cherish the value of ideas, progressive thought and dissent. Hence, there is a need for a cross-section of teachers and students to come together to speak up against the stifling of voices in universities and space across the country. This judgment strikes at the very core idea of the right to exchange ideas and values. What cannot be over looked is the alarming disparity between various judgment that have come in recent times where those against whom there are clear evidences of instigating mob violence, engineering riots and blasts were acquitted by higher courts.Witch hunting is going on against those raising issues of human rights violations of tribals through operation green hunt etc. the sessions court ignored his health, as he was supposed to undergo a surgery, and sent him a jail on life term. The judgment says that ‘though GN Saibaba is 90 percent disabled, he is mentally alert’.The public prosecutor was responding on the judgment with an observation that it is the first time the white collar Maoists are punished, and it is a message to the intellectuals outside who are supporting Maoist ideology. This proves a venomous mindset of the state. Hence, one has to come to conclusion that this is not a judicious judgment based on the natural justice or the law of the land but given the political prejudice against any kind of dissent against sate. People were prosecuted for ideas in medieval period and that is happening here now. This is not merely a legal battle but a fight to protect democracy.

TVV is demanding the unconditional release of GN Saibaba and the other five, provide complete medical facilities, and also appealing to all progressive and democratic sections to mobilize the people and raise concern over the political climate in the country where all forms of dissent are been criminalized.

Telangana Vidyarthi Vedika (Tvv), Hyderabad Central University

RSS Rolls On Nazi Racist Project Of Producing ‘Aryan’ Babies In India
by Shamsul Islam

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/05/15/rss-rolls-on-nazi-racist-proj
ect-of-producing-aryan-babies-in-india/

According to press reports, one of the RSS offshoots, Garbh Vigyan
Sanskar (Uterus Science Culture), following the Vedic preaching and
post-World War II experiments in Germany, is conducting live trials in
many parts of India for producing ‘fair’ and ‘tall’ ‘customised’
babies.

Läs mer om RSS här.

The old Indian State, through the Court of Sessions of Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), convicted the Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba to the life imprisonment. That punishment happened because of his important militancy in defence of the people’s rights. Besides Professor Saibaba, five other militants were targets of this unacceptable measure and convicted under the draconian anti-terror law.

The Indian government has attacked more and more the people of its own country. In order to expel the peasants from their lands, under the mantra of “Operation Green Hunt”, the Adivasis people villages are being decimated, under constants air strikes and the offensive of mercenary groups working for the government. All this has been done to ensure the interests of transnational companies, especially those in the mining sector. In the cities, there is a growing number of draconian laws targeting activists and people’s rights activists. Besides Professor Saibaba the renowned Indian writer Arundhati Roy also has been pursued by the old State.

In India, the number of political prisoners is around 100,000. They are thousands of men and women who have been arrested for their positions and political actions in defence of the people. Among them 10,000 are accused of having some connection with the Maoist movement in the country. The Maoists have been developing a Popular War against the Indian State for decades, and the Indian State has declared total war against the whole Indian people.

That conviction of professor Saibaba is a new chapter in the attack over democratic freedoms in India. Under the fallacy of “fighting the Maoists” the old Indian State has been pursuing and arresting those who stand up for the rights of the Indian people and the various nationalities that live under the yoke of the fascist management of the Modi government.

Many democratic organizations and for defence of people’s rights in India and abroad have already expressed their repudiation of that conviction given to wheelchair bound professor Saibaba, who has paralysis in 90% of the body, also suffers from various health’s problems. Student organizations, several unions and popular movements have been denouncing that trial was a sham. A lot of demonstrations against this ruling have being organizing across India.

Actions will be taken in defence of professor Saibaba and other political prisoners who bravely resist in the Indian dungeons. We call on all democratic and revolutionary organizations to participate of this international campaign.

UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE FOR THE PROFESSOR SAIBABA

AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN INDIA!

CEBRASPO

Brazilian Centre of Solidarity to the People
Rio de Janeiro, março de 2017