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	Solidarity, Introspection and Awareness events organized by various chapters
	Ann Arbor AID Ann Arbor held a candle light vigil on the U of Michigan campus in conjunction with the Hindu Students Council and Muslim Students Association. The gathering observed silence in memory of those who were killed and joined in prayers from the Hindu students and Muslim students. The chapter plans to hold discussion groups to promote dialog between diverse groups within the Indian community, and also aims to hold a youth camp in the fall to foster social awareness and leadership skills among South Asian youth. Atlanta AID Atlanta organized a talk and discussion led by Dr. S. Sridhar, community health activist from the NGO Action Research and Community Health (ARCH), based in Raj Pipla, Gujarat. Covering the socio-political background to the recent violence, the talk was introspective from the Hindu point of view, and touched upon the need for breaking down stereotypes and prejudice, better education and dialogue. Austin Bangalore AID Bangalore organized a Fast for Peace and Solidarity on March 9 from 8am to 3pm at the Cubbon Park. Volunteers gathered for a fast and show of solidarity to end violence and promote communal harmony across India. People who could not fast showed their solidarity by bringing a candle to light at the event. For International Womens Day on March 9, 2002, over 50 organisations came together in Bangalore for a march for communal peace and harmony. Shabana Azmi and others spoke at the event. After gathering at Kanteerva Stadium at 2.30pm, the group walked through Residency Road and St. Marks Road, and finished at BRV Grounds (Police Grounds) with speeches. Bay Area Some AID Bay Area volunteers joined a group of 250 people in a march on March 23 from the Gadar Memorial to the Indian Consulate in San Francisco organized by the Coalition Against Communalism. This group presented a petition bearing over 4200 signatures from across the world asking the National Human Rights Commission to safeguard the human and constitutional rights for all residents of Gujarat - regardless of religion or ethnicity. The Bay Area chapter also organized (wonderfully well, as will be told elsewhere!) the AID Conference 2002, at which there were several discussions on how to work towards communal harmony, including a talk by Aruna Roy who is a member of the Concerned Citizens’ Tribunal investigating the violence in Gujarat. Boston Summary: AID Boston held two screenings of Hindi films at which messages of communal harmony were reiterated and funds were collected for riot relief in Gujarat. It was also one of several South Asian organizations that organized a jazz concert on 16 June by IndianOcean- a group comprising of both Indian and Pakistani musicians- to raise funds for the same purpose. In addition, AID Boston, with other South Asian organizations, organized several talks by visitors from India that were of great educational and inspirational value for volunteers and others. Speakers included Harsh Mander (ex-IAS officer, currently Director of ActionAid India) and Smita Narula (of Human Rights Watch) on 23 May, Aruna Roy and Shankar Singh on 6 June, and Prof. J. S. Bandukwala (professor at University of Baroda and social worker) and Fr.Cedric Prakash (of the NGO Prashant) on 7 June. Mander, after describing the situation on the ground and how administrative complicity made the recent violence particularly horrific, passionately asked when we had lost our ability to care. Bandukwala, who narrowly escaped with his life when his house was burnt down in the recent violence, spoke with inspiring humanity about the need to nurture a multicultural India that protected the rights of all its peoples. He also mentioned several ways in which the Indian Muslim community could contribute to allaying widespread Hindu apprehensions, and the need for internal reform. Narula and Prakash focused on human rights in India. AID Boston was also involved in a Forum on Communal Violence on March 30 to bring out various perspectives of the Indian community. Detailed Description: Many AID volunteers, other groups in Boston, students, and professionals are working at many different levels. The objective of all the efforts listed below is: 1) To contribute (and in doing so to involve the community wherever we may be) to NGO's in Gujarat involved in relief and rehabilitation efforts and work with them in building bridges between fractured communities. 2) To raise awareness and engage the community in discussions aimed at understanding the issue of communal violence and seeking a path (through exchange of opinions and perspectives) towards sustained peace and harmony 3) Most importantly, through these different initiatives, it is hoped that the community in general (this includes us) comes to understand, appreciate and practice the universal values of peace and harmony enshrined in all religions. 1. FUND RAISING FOR RELIEF EFFORTS Some AID-Boston volunteers together with students, professionals, professors etc, in Boston, and friends in India have formed a group called Insaniyat. Insaniyat is in the process of getting ads out in mainstream and vernacular newspapers in India calling upon people of all religious communities to contribute to the relief and rehab efforts for their brothers and sisters in Gujarat. Specifically, the ad calls upon all Indians to contribute directly to Citizens’ Initiative - a group of 34 NGO's involved in the relief and rehab work in Gujarat. This we hope will also help re-assure the victims of the communal violence that there are countless Indians of many different religious affiliations to help them in their hour of need. We have been able to get this ad endorsed by a wide spectrum of totally apolitical people of national stature from different fields such as -- 1. Baba Amte (Social worker/ Humanitarian), Aruna Roy (Social Worker) 2. Aamir Khan, Victor Banerjee, Amol Palekar, Farooque Shaikh (Actors) 3. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Kris Srikkanth (cricketers) 4. Mahesh Bhatt, Mrinal Sen (Directors/ Filmmakers) 5. Amitava Ghosh, Mahasweta Devi, Anita Desai, U.R.Anantamurthy (Literary figures) 6. Pt.Bhimsen Joshi, Pt.Shiv Kumar Sharma (music maestros) This was published as a half page ad, free of charge, in the June 8th issue of MID-DAY. We are now in the process of raising funds to get the ad published in as many different newspapers in India. For more information, please send an email. Together with Alliance for a Secular and Democratic South Asia at Boston, Sangam (MIT Indian Cultural Group), South Asia Forum at MIT, and Pakistan Assocn. of Boston, we have organized a jazz concert performance for Sunday Jun 16th 2002, by IndianOcean (a group comprising of both Indian and Pakistani musicians) to raise funds in support of the relief efforts in Gujarat. The proceeds from the concert will be sent to Citizen's Initiative in support of their relief and rehabilitation work. In October 2002, we will have a concert performance by Global Rhythms, a 60-member fusion group that brings together the music and culture from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. This we hope can further provide the apolitical space for people of different communities to come together and appreciate the universal values of peace and harmony that are enshrined in every religion and culture. This event is being jointly organized by AID-Boston, Sangam, MITHAS (a group for the promotion of Indian music at MIT). More info on Global Rhythms We had three movie fundraisers, wherein on the days when the MIT South Asian Student group screened movies at MIT, we had a small presentation about the relief and rehabilitation efforts of CI, and had a donation box placed for people to contribute. Total money raised: $ 1751 (inclusive of a $1000 one time donation by an AID donor) 2. TALKS and DISCUSSION SESSIONS Talk + Q/A session with Harsh Mander (23rd May 2002, Room 4-231, MIT) (minutes + notes from the talk is available here.) Screening of the video "Hey Ram" and subsequent discussions with Aruna Roy and Shankar Singh of the MKSS (Mazdoor Kisaan Shakti Sanghatan). Room 4-270, MIT. This documentary gave a first hand account of the nature of the communal riots in Gujarat. A detailed note about the documentary, and more about Aruna Roy and Shankar Singh’s talk can be found here. For information on obtaining copies of the documentary, please click here. Panel discussion: "Human Rights in India: Lessons from Gujarat" chaired by Prof.Bandukwala and Fr.Cedric Prakash of Citizen's Initiative. June 7th,2002: Room 4-231, MIT. Professor JS Bandukwala teaches nuclear physics at the University of Baroda, Gujarat. He is also a human rights activist and social worker. His house was burnt down in the recent state sanctioned massacres. In an interview he said," I'm staying in a Hindu-dominated area and they were the ones who stayed next to me. There is no doubt that average people are very decent. The only problem is that the sense of terror in them. I saw that the mob was making a target of those Hindus who were trying to inculcate this concept of harmony. There was special viciousness for those who were trying to help me. This is what frightens me." Professor Bandukwala discussed the ramifications of this state organized ethnic cleansing for the future of a multinational, multicultural and multireligious India and rights of all its peoples. Fr.Cedric Prakash is an activist for human rights, justice and peace. He is a member of the Concerned Citizens Tribunal which is coducting an independent investigation into Gujarat massacres. Such discussion sessions, we hope can raise awareness in the community on the need for each one of us to contribute to the relief, rehab, and long term bridge-building initiatives. 3. ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY a) Forum Against Communal Violence On March 30th 2002, together with the South Asian Center and Sangam, we organized a forum at MIT to engage the community in a discussion on the issue of communal violence and have people exchange perspectives. The forum hosted a panel of distinguished members from the South Asian community. The panel included Swami Tyagananda, a monk of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Massachusetts, Ms. Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, a scholar of religion from Harvard University, Dr. Abhaya Asthana, Joint General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) and Dr. A. Cader Asmal, Director of Communications for the New England Islamic Center. The organizers emphasized at the start that the only way towards resolution of communal problems is through frank yet sensitive dialogue between people holding different points of view influential in today's Indian society, so that various parties might better appreciate each others' viewpoints. The only fundamental assumption that the forum would make is that there can be no "rational" justifications for killing of innocents. A brief history of communal violence in India in the last century was given- this described how political parties of all hues (from the CPI-M to the Congress to the BJP) have been implicated in fomenting communal hatred, and also how the recommendations and findings of various governmental commissions that investigated these incidents have not been acted upon. Ms. Shukla-Bhatt and Swami Tyagananda focussed on the role of the individual in preventing such tragedies. Dr. Asmal explained how religious teachings taken out of context are wrongly used to vilify Islam. Dr. Asthana expressed his belief that the media is biased, and that communal problems in India cannot be solved until the "wound to the Hindu psyche" is acknowledged. In the rest of the three hour long session, many participants expressed a deep sense of outrage against the Gujarat Government's total abdication of its duty to protect the lives of its citizens. The role of communal elements and organizations in fomenting hatred between otherwise peaceful and co-existing communities was strongly condemned. The discussion also turned contentious several times with audience members objecting to the presence of a VHP executive on the panel. They held VHP completely responsible for the carnage in Gujarat. The organizers clarified that the purpose of the forum is to initiate a dialogue between groups with varying ideology, as long as such groups agreed to unequivocally condemn the violence. All panelists, including Dr. Asthana, had complied with this condition. The forum passed a resolution with absolute majority that condemned the tragic events and their perpetrators irrespective of their standing in government or religious institutions, urged the Central and state governments to bring the criminals responsible to justice, and emphasized that every community should work towards spreading the message of communal harmony. While the forum did not lead to the evolution of specific action items, it was a success as it brought varied opinions to the same table, and fulfilled its goal of initiating a dialogue. This is one of a series of forums planned to address the problem of communalization and to attempt to evolve solutions to the same. The resolution passed by the forum can be viewed here. b) Mohalla Committees We are also in the process of getting small groups (mohalla committees) to engage in discussions and exchange opinions on all issues related to communal violence. We sincerely hope that such discussion forums can help people understand and hear multiple perspectives, analyze the facts used by members to state perspectives, and finally understand how each one of us can contribute to sustaining peace and harmony wherever we may live. The goal is to start 50 groups in the Greater Boston area, each group of about 10 people. One host will invite the rest of the group for discussion. We would prefer groups with mixed characteristics with respect to region/religion although perfect balance might be impossible. We will also work with all the different south asian communities. We will hand a folder with all the information that Insaniyat collects to each group as a baseline for the group discussion. This package we hope helps provide people with facts and a multitude of perspectives on the underlying issues that warrant a discussion in finding a solution strategy to counter communal violence. Website Some of us in Boston are working on creating a website that can help separate facts from analysis and act as a resource base for volunteers to both form perspectives and at the same time use the facts in their discussions with members of the community who may even have a counter-viewpoint. We are in the process of getting this website up and still have a significant amount of work that we hope to have done by the end of this month. Anyone with ideas + specific information + contributions to the site please send an email to Mokshay or Anand Charlotte AID Charlotte collaborated major local community organizations to host Aruna Roy and Shankar Singh's talk in the Hindu Centers of Charlotte and Greensboro. The program was publicized on radio as well as in a mailer to 500 households, which also issued an appeal to fund livelihood/ shelter restoration project for the Gujarat communal riot victims and the Kashmir valley refugee children's education, highlighting the common threads of inhumanity and hatred from communalism. These helped put across the secular viewpoint constructively but unambiguously in front of the mainstream community. A screening of a documentary on MKSS and communal violence was followed by a discussion on the Right to Information, Development and civic society with South Asian Studies faculty of Davidson College. Two of the AID volunteers launched Develop in Peace initiative to supplement AID's positioning by underscoring common woes of South Asian poor due to underdevelopment, arms race and communal strife, focusing on peace as shared precondition for development. DIP is organizing an essay contest for students of middle and high schools with the help of teachers of international and cultural studies on the theme of "How to establish peace in South Asia". DIP is also listed with Charlotte Mayor's International Cabinet and World Affairs Council, the focal points of multicultural dialogue on community and world affairs respectively in most cities. Dallas 1) The Dallas chapter of AID along with Asha for Education, and CRY Dallas organized a Candle Light Vigil, as a call for Peace and Harmony, and to condemn the indifference of the Government in controlling the violence. The Vigil was well attended by about 35 people of the Dallas/FortWorth community. The Vigil was supported by Federation of American Muslims and the Indian Students Association in UT Dallas. The mood was sombre, but of hope and confidence that there is chance for peace, and if we really desire peace from the bottom of our hearts, then we should show it in action. Everyone expressed their sorrow to the happenings in the Gujarat. They echoed a common sentiment, that hatred and violence have no place in a sane community and all problems should be solved amicably. The perpetuators of such violence should be dealt with and reprimanded, whatever their motivation. They deplored the acts in Gujarat as inhuman and intolerable, and asked for Government to take immediate action to prevent these happenings, now or in the future. Some opined that political motivations should not direct such communal disharmony, and the Government should take action to disallow any group that promotes such thoughts. Concern was also raised about the, almost deliberate complacency of the Gujarat Government in controlling the violence. The group demanded immediate action against those responsible instead of the proverbial inaction, and promised to help in any possible way they can. There was a moment’s silence as condolences to the people who very affected by the riots, and to share the grief in their moments of distress. Then everyone joined together in singing "Hum Honge Kamiyaab" thus promising to succeed by always aspiring for peace and harmony. 2) AID was on the Radio Show in Dallas for promoting the message of tolerance and peace and to inform listeners about happenings in India. The show was presented by www.desimasalaonline.com and hosted by Mike Ghouse. Many people called in and echoed thoughts of peace and harmony. Some comments were : "We should stop thinking about Hindus and Muslims and just talk about Indians...." "If a Hindu stabbed a Muslim or a Muslim stabbed a Hindu, the blood that spilled from either one was the same.. red" "Jab koi is dehshat ka shikaar hua, aur uski maa ki aakhon se aasoo bahe, us mamta ka koi majhab nahin.. woh mamta na hi musalman ki thi, na hi hindu ki, maa ki mamta to bas mamta hai aur rahegi ..." "Revenge and Hatred are never valid methods of solving a problem" "99.99% of India is in favor of peace and harmony. The other 1/10th of 1% are the criminals causing trouble" There were criticizms of the present Governance, but most in a constructive sense. People wanted the Government to enforce strict rules to ensure Law and Order for all its citizens and to take utmost measures to prevent murder of innocent people. Some opinions and thoughts: "After September 11th, the Bush government specifically stated that there should be no "retaliation". The Modi government not only failed to make such a call, but actually encouraged retailation in a number of statements" "Law and Order should be the first responsibility of the Government" "Criticism is not anti-goverment. Hence everyone who has something to say should make their voices heard. For it is only through this construvtive criticism that a government will know the true sentiments of its citizens" The show concluded by Mike summarizing that humanity suffered in this massacre, and that this violence should be very strictly dealt with, and left the audience with the famous song: ”Tu Hindu banega na Musalmaan banega, Insaan ki aulad hai Insaan banege....” Maryland AID Maryland was part of a spontaneous coalition of concerned citizens and groups involved in a peace rally and relay fast at the Gandhi Statue in front of Embassy of India, Washington, DC. This aimed to highlight the voices of unity and self-less Truth of all the communities, ask the government to restrain all fundamentalist groups and build communal harmony. The relay fast ran from March 5 to March 15, and culminated with a group fast at the statue. People fasted in succession for 24 hours each and sat-in at the Mahatma Gandhi statue for the work hours of 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. See the press release Click for a report on this rally in Washington Post. A report in Deccan Herald can be found here. From the original appeal: We need you to make it successful. Please make an effort to take full or half personal day off work to sit-in at the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the day of your fast. By this effort, we truly hope to make this unity visible and bring local groups together. The relay fast is a 'call for communal Harmony in India'. The goals are: 1) To highlight the voices of unity and self-less Truth of all the communities 2) To ask the govt to restrain all fundamentalist groups and build communal harmony 3) To call for the DC area residents and groups to come together as a long term voice of unity and harmony. The actions of fundamentalist groups propagating violence and pitching one community against another highlight the need for the government to heighten its efforts to bring such groups under increased scrutiny. In the public interest, there is a clear need to side with the long-term peace building and secular balance in the acts of every institution of democracy. Inherently against the Nations' interest, the waves of fundamentalism and sectarian divide will only diminish the progress of the country and bring international shame and instability in the region. We seek enactment and strict enforcement of laws to provide for individual expression, secular and inter-community progress, and stability and peace in the region. We all also pledge to work towards communal harmony through personal efforts of bringing various community groups together. We believe that "The Truth shall prevail". Relay of Fasters at Mahatma Gandhi statue, across from Indian Embassy, Washington DC (in addition to people fasting all over the world!) : Tuesday 3/5 - Sirish Agarwal (Asha for Education) Wednesday 3/6 - Rajeev Natarajan (Association for India's Development) - fast from home Thursday 3/7 - Vijay Anand (AIMS Cultural) Friday 3/8 - Mona Sehgal/Nancy Schmitz (Asha for Education) Saturday 3/9 - Zafar Iqbal (Association of Indian Muslims in America) Sunday 3/10 - Kaleen Kawaza (Association of Indian Muslims) Monday 3/11 - volunteer wishes to be anonymous Tuesday 3/12 - Zaheer Parvez (Hyderabad Association of Washington, DC) Wednesday 3/13 - Prachi Dalal (Asha for Education) Miami University - Ohio About 15 people from Miami University met on March 7, 2002 at Pearson Hall to talk about the recent communal unrest in India, in which over 500 people died. The group of students and faculty members, who are greatly concerned at the widespread violence in the state of Gujarat, condemned the riots. India's secular spirit has allowed for people of different faiths to co-exist peacefully for centuries and the group expressed the hope that Indians would uphold this tradition of communal harmony. The group believes it is the onus of the Indian government to ensure that the perpetrators of violence will be brought to justice. The group strongly believes that peace and harmony among its diverse communities should be the basis of living. As a symbol of solidarity & peace a candle light vigil will be held on March 22nd. Indian films that deal with the issue of communal harmony will also be screened. The Oxford & Miami communities are invited to participate. Minnesota AID Minnesota organized two public meetings on the riots in Gujarat. India Association of Minnesota, Sikh and Muslim community organizations and AID MN adopted a joint resolution condemning the murders. It has also planned “Pilgrims of Peace” - a fair with food, fun, workshops and cultural programs - to reiterate the need for communal harmony, on July 27. A group has been formed to strengthen the Indian community in the Twin Cities against communalism. State College AID Penn State organized an Inter-faith Prayer Meeting that inspired people to learn more about Indian history and philosophy. With “Recent riots in Gujarat, India: What can we do to help?” as the topic of discussion, and subtitled “A time to think, a time to act”, the meeting was held on 7 March, 2002 at 209, Hammond Building, Pennsylvania State University, thanks to the efforts of Kavitha and Vamsi. There were around 25 students in attendance, a good turnout during the spring break. After reciting prayers from all religions including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Bahai, Vamsi set the stage for a constructive dialogue by first offering reasons for calling the meeting. And, then followed the others. Every student had very interesting points to make offering short-term and long-term solutions to the current problems. Kavitha passed on a petition that AID is planning to send to the Indian Govt. on behalf of the Indians at Penn State expressing its concerns and demanding swift action to restore law and order. Some of the important idea that emerged from the meeting, - There is a need for being proactive toward such problems rather than reacting to the actions. - Need to have strict laws against discrimination and any kind of provocative action; This would help protect law and order in the society. Such laws exist in the US and are followed. We can help by filing writ petitions or public interest litigations in court, to promote enacting stricter laws. - There is a need to give up our prejudices. More interaction between Hindus and non-hindus could help improve understanding of each other’s religion and their peaceful tenets. - The idea of diversity of religions and underlying commonalities should be promoted in Indian festivals organized in the US. We can try doing this at the Taste of India being planned for next month. - Some Indian movies are responsible for portraying negative things about a particular sect or religion; This should be discouraged by all means. - The real motives of the fanatics should be understood. They aren’t self-less in their actions. - Launching an information offensive to help project the real causes and history behind the current problems; The educated Indians should try their best to present unbiased views to rest of the world pointing out the problems in totally believing what the media portray - The solutions to these problems shouldn’t be just short-term. There is a need for long-term solutions. - One of the long-term solutions is to educate the common people of India staying in India and abroad about its history and philosophy. There is need for educating the masses about not only Hinduism but also other religions, atleast the basic tenets. The educated class should take the responsibility of creating this awareness among the common people - Unless Indians know about the rich heritage of their own country and understand the commonalities between all religions it will be difficult to achieve long-lasting solutions. Outcome of the meeting : The students who stayed for the whole meeting proposed and agreed to the creation of an e-forum wherein students and other members of Indian community would be given an opportunity to get educated about their country’s history and philosophy. We are sure the other students would be glad to join such a forum. The e-forum would avoid promoting a certain religion or philosophy and is purely meant to provide information from authorized sources. The more we are equipped with authentic information, the better we can fight the evils plaguing our nation as a team. We have an ambitious plan and it might take time for tangible results to manifest but keeping the long-term welfare of our country in mind we can move ahead with confidence and enthusiasm. All people, regardless of their faith are welcome to join this e-forum. Any kind of controversial, inflammatory, and offensive messages should be avoided. Proposed name for the egroup : India_think San Diego In San Diego, a candlelight vigil calling for peace was held at the main Indian marketplace, and announcements were made in the Hindu temple regarding petitions for restoring peace. Many volunteers also discussed the issue with their family members back in India. Other Solidarity Events in India A detailed report of peace restoring activites in Ahmedabad by IIM and other educational institutions. A peace march from the Kochrab Ashram to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad was organized on Tuesday, March 5 uniting a whole spectrum of activists and organizations such as Gujarat Sarvodaya Mandal, Janpath (the statewide network of progressive grassroots NGOs), Concerned Citizens' forum, St Xavier's/BSC, led by veteran social workers such as Vishwagurjari award winner Chunibhai Vaidya, Narayan Desai, Sukhdeo Patel (Janpath), Indukumar Jani (Naya Marg), Prof Sudarshan Iyengar and others. [It was expected to draw more than 500 individuals. The banners will be "Khula hriday, bandh jaban" because the government hasn't granted permission yet and it will be silent march. In Vadodara too, a large meeting and other programs being fervently organized on March 5th to coincide with this march after a planning meeting attended by 60 people on March 4th. Update needed on these.]
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