GENESIS:

The vast experience of fighting the menace of illegal child labour in the carpet industry,sari industry, etc. and the related human rights abuses, torture of children, women and Dalits by the feudal behaviour of the society culminated in the formation of PVCHR. The well-known poet Mr. Gyanendrapati writes
I ask, "Is the earth alone?" Don't you have to go to the earthworm, busy making earth fertile, and ask before taking any important decision! Who knows if the ants are more concerned about the earths future than you.

I am worth an earthworm. For you I am only an ant to be crushed.

My human rights puny before your demon rights

I may be insignificant come on.

Agreed
Yet my claim over the earth is no way less than yours.

His poem on the ugly side of human life on earth. such as human rights violations, torture of innocent people, etc. have definitely encouraged Dr. Lenin to think hard of ways to fight these evils in the society. Both Mr. Gyanendrapati and Dr. Lenin sat down for days together and they ultimately decided that only a movement of like minded people can change things so that such cases can be raised at proper forums of redressal. PVCHR thus took shape as a Movement in 1996.
In order to raise fund for its activities PVCHR established on 10th May,1999 a public charitable trust named Janmitra Nyas.

Vision

Establishing a true, vibrant and fully entrenched democratic society through Jan Mitra (people friendly) concept where shall be no violation of rights granted to citizens by state.

Mission Statement

Working for to provide basic rights to all and eliminate situation (democratic gap) which gives rise to exploitation of vulnerable groups, i.e. children, women, dalit & working class. To make movement for people friendly society (Jan Mitra Samaj), a human right culture (democratic value) based society, which opposed the demon rights in feudalistic society and the anti-people practice of economic globalization through inter-institutional approach.

Thematic perception

The feudal system prevalent in the post independent India defeated the essence of freedom itself. It made the caste system more vulgar whereby Hindu Fundamentalism took the form of fascism and as result the Dalits who are in majority were looked down upon and led a miserable life forcing them to work as bonded laborers. Their standard of living forced their children to work as child labourers even in hazardous industries. And this feudal system gave way to a gender biased thinking, which led to the further exploitation of Women in the society instead of empowerment.

In the same way Economic Globalization has clearly marginalized the dalits, women and children making the rich richer and the poor still poorer. The institutions supposed to safeguarded human rights, economic growth and development have worked in the reverse order giving place to demons rights which again gave way to dominance of multinationals which in turn helped strengthening anti-people policies imposed on developing nations by organizations like WTO, World Bank, G-7, IMF, etc. This again helped the feudal system to persist in which the bureaucracy too plays a negative context, as it in itself is ignorant about human rights aspects. It was therefore felt that Democracy, Human Rights and Development need to be given thrust. This is how the idea of PVCHR took shape of fight for these causes.

ORGANOGRAM OF THE ORGANISATION

Board of Trustee of Jan Mitra Nyas (Public Charitable Trust)

A. Shri Gyanendra Pati - Settlor (a renowned poet))
B. Sant Vivekdas - Head Priest of Kabir Chaura Math
C. Smt. Shruti Nagvanshi - Social Worker

Responsibility of the Board of Trustees:
(i) Legal Holder
(ii) Monitoring of the flow of funds;
(iii) For ideological verification of the work: Appointed Director: Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi

CORE GROUP FOR POLICY MAKING

o One representative from the Trustees- Smt. Shruti Nagvanshi.
o Two persons from PVCHR Executive Council
§ Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
§ Dr. Mahendra Pratap
o One person devoting full time: Prashant
o Representative from Women’s forum: Smt. Kalawati
o One Marginal farmer: Open.
o One person from Dalit Initiative: Shri Lal Bahadur Ram.
o One person from Minority and Legal Aid Initiative: Tanveer Ahamed Siddiqui (Advocate).

The Core Group mentioned above meets once in every six months for approval of all appointments.

CORE TEAM FOR PROJECT RELATED WORK
(i) Ms. Anupam
(ii) Mr. Vijay Bharti
(iii) Mr.Anup Srivastava
(iv) Ms. Shruti
(v) Accountant
(vi) Siddiqui Hasan

# One person is appointed as co-ordinator for One year.
# Monthly meeting for day-to-day project work, appointments and planning’s etc which is finally approved by the Core Group.
Key Activists: Virendra,Shanti Devi,Anand Prakash,Asha Devi,Tara,Virendra Singh,Prem,Satya Prakash,Kok Singh,Surendra Prasad,Hemant etc.

Programms/Interventions :- (Idea in to action)

(1) Campaign- (Practice to policy)

To organize campaigns and awareness programmes with the aim of inculcating such value & imparting such knowledge, which go into making a human being more humane & awake to the task of creating a world where all beings Co-exist peacefully.

(i) at international level- To influence international organization like United Nations, IRCT, European Union, Amnesty International which in turn will put pressure on the Indian Government for appropriate action on issues which PVCHR takes up with those international organizations.

(ii) at national level- It might be governments regulations, legislation or industrial/development policies which are antipeople that are challenged.

(iii) at gross roots- It can be campaigns to change people’s perception & local norms. It does not only mean work to get policies in place, but also monitoring policies & pressuring them to be enacted, as well as work to ensure that the intended beneficiaries are aware of policies & have a sense of ownership for them.

(2) Organisation building:

At later stages of the campaign, Howe ever, individuals alone are not sufficient. PVCHR itself may be an extension of its leader, providing him/her the necessary organization supports in order to mobilize people into movement around the campaign’s issue which is critical for greater impact at the national & grassroots level. PVCHR is already engaged in its organization building from the village level to the national level by working in 80 districts of U.P., M.P. and Bihar on the issues of human rights, torture victims, etc. Justice Rangnath Mishra, Former Chief Justice of India & Ex- Chairman-NHRC, Justice V.S. Malimath, Former Chief Justice of Kerala, Karnataka & Ex-Member-NHRC, Mr. Francesco Gesuldi of Italy, Dr. Priyankar Upadhyaya Malviya Research Center for Peace B.H.U., Mr. Rabi Ray-Ex. Speaker, Loksabha, Prof. Deepak Malik, Justice Sukumaran, Justice Yacoob-sitting judge, constitutional court & chancellor, Durban university, South Africa all agreed with our view and joined the international advisory committee of PVCHR.

(3) Grassroots intervention in field of Human Rights Development and Democracy (Janmitra Village): (Policy to Practice)

Campaigns are very important, but alone are not enough : implementation & change at grassroots should never be assumed & require additional activity.
A narrow focus can be effective in getting an issue formulated but problems caused by poverty are more complex. If the campaign is not widened out at a later stage it is unlikely to achieve effective change. The challenge comes if there is desire to go beyond informing the grassroots of what is good for them towards ensuring real change as well as engagement & empowerment at grassroots which will develop civil society with potential influence on much other issue. Work at this level- to change attitudes & behaviors & to build capacity & skills need a lot of thrust & requires non hierarchical organization with close personal contact.

Concept of Jan Mitra Village

Background:
The feudal system prevalent in eastern U.P. has always suppressed the proper growth and development of dalits and the weaker sections in society. This feudalism is the reason behind the marginalisation of the dalits and it has always prevented them from being able to attend schools from generation to generation forcing them to work as child labour, bonded labour, etc. from a very early age. The feudalistic society has always found it convenient to keep such a margin in the society so that their ‘interest’ are safeguarded at all times. It is high time that dalits are empowered and the weaker sections in the society labour, opening a door for the vulnerable groups to do schooling and are given the necessary opportunities to rise to the mainstream of society.
Jan Mitra Gaon is a concept of the people, by the people and for the people. The idea was formed by studying the grassroots problems through discussions and by taking up the problems with Administration, human rights bodies’ etc. over a period of five years. Focus was given to issues like child rights, land rights, dalits etc. One might reach a policy through practice. However, for real grassroots level change, advocacy alone is not enough, but one has to come down from policy to practice which is seriously lacking from the present day society. Jan Mitra concept has a three pronged functional system:

(a) Jan Mitra Educational Concept.

The word “education” is derived from Latin, meaning “to lead or draw out”. That is to say, to lead or draw out the potential we all posses; to stimulate awareness of what we really are: beings with limitless capacity for courage, wisdom, compassion and bliss; beings who are inter-women with all others and yet completely individual; being who, as the jewels in the myth of Indra’s net, both reflect all others within themselves yet also create them.

We need a method of education to liberate us from servitude to the market and all its wares, and free us to fulfill our potential.

Depending upon the situation in various villages, it envisages activating of Creche where parents of young children who are engaged as agricultural labourers, weavers etc. can leave in these crèches. This will also enable the older girt children to attend school instead of remaining in the houses looking after the youngsters in the absence of their parents; this will also create a friendly environment for the pre-primary school children to go to formal schools on attaining the age of 6. This will act as a deterrent for the parents for not engaging their children as child workers. Under this concept people friendly centers will also be opened for children & adult. Reactivating the formal primary schools and health centers is another important aspect of the Janmitra concept. Thus, education under Jan Mitra concept will break the cycle of poverty, improve equity, empower women, and create health awareness and moreover improved democracy and accountability.

(b) Organisation Development of marginalised Groups : The PVCHR Village Committee will consist of 50% or more members from dalits, women, children and minorities and this Committee will be overall responsible for the successful implementation of the concept. It is the responsibility of this Committee to motivate the marginalized groups to fight Panchayat elections, which will be a major break through for such groups to come to the mainstream of society. The community will be made to fight for their own rights, make collective demands, fight for their land rights, rights to life with dignity etc. They will also be motivated and encouraged to take up collective issues with human rights bodies, etc. under the campaign programme.
This Committee will be responsible for the setting up of a children panchayat under which a children chaupal will be organized every month. The Panchayat will be formed parallel to village Panchayat. The Children panchayats in all the villages children and forward them directly to the President of India.

(4)Collaboration it is clear that no one organization can effectively campaign at all the different levels, which often requires very different attitudes, strategies & skills. To achieve this complex mix of work, different types of organizations are called for collaboration between them and these different organizations can therefore help in moving the campaign forward. PVCHR is therefore already linked with progressive forums like students Unions, Trade Unions, People’s Commission against Assaults on Minorities, Saajha Sanskriti Manch, Samanvay and grassroots level NGOs, to formed Forum on rights of marginalized/Vanchit Adhikar Manch (FRM). FRM or Forum for the Rights of the Marginalized is a loose formation of grassroots organizations working among the marginalized communities. It organizes once convention in two years for consultations and exchange of their learnings and experiences.The basic process and procedures of this forum is collective decision and individual responsibility. Since its establishment FRM had investigated Police atrocities on the residents of Village Narketi of Naugarh district, organized a rally and demonstration of the marginalized community against capitalistic economic globalization where they burned the effigy of WTO and the WB. Organized a public hearing in collaboration with FIAN on the Right to Food. It also provides legal aid to Human Rights defenders.

The FRM Core Group
While the Rally and Benaras Convention was in progress, several individuals comprising of intellectuals, social activists workers and community members from the villages, urban slums, city and rural areas were sitting at the “Convention Secretariat” in Malati Hotel, Cantt where they deliberated on the economic policies of the Government, US imperialism and violation of national sovereignty, Communalism, and Fascism etc. The conclusions from this discussion were summarized into the Benares Declaration to be released on the 26th June. After the Convention, for intensifying the movement, a Core Group was formed comprising of Prof. Deeepak Malik (Ex-President of BHU Teachers’ Association), Advocate Tanveer Ahmad, Sanjay Rai, Dr. Lenin, Bindu, Maheshnand, Shruti and Gaurav Sehagal. The Core Group held a two-day meeting to draw out a formal plan of action for Varanasi and adjoining areas to check disparity among the masses. The Core Group would also contact the people of Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka and Pakistan in an effort to mobilize South Asian public opinion against the growing interference of US Imperialism in the sub continent. Internationally the Core Group resolved to work closely with the International League for Peoples Struggle, which is a joint body of some 200 people’s movement groups from some 40 countries. The ILPS will be opposing the ministerial meeting of WTO scheduled to be held in Mexico between 13th to 17th September 2003.

PVCHR efforts spring from the insight that unless civil society deals with the injustices of the caste system head – on, it is not attacking social conflict at its root. Translating these convictions into action, they have built local, regional and nationwide institutions that challenge caste. PVCHR has helped in rehabilitating 3000 ex-torture victims.

The organisation main focus on marginalized and discriminated communities like Musahaar, Ghasia especially women and children. The organization is also working with weavers groups in three districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh - Azamgarh, Mau and Banaras. Approx 1500 Bunkar have formed Bunkar DastkarAdhikar Manch and taking charge of their concerns and taking positive actions to hold government accountable and claim their rights and entitlements. The organization has also managed in receiving solidarity from eminent person and political leaders like Mr Faruk Shek (actors) Mr P Chitambaram on the Bunkar issues. The organisation is mobilizing support from ministry of textile on weavers for addressing the concern of weavers in the region. The organisation has helped in initiating the process of distribution of BPL card in slum of Banaras (bguwa nala, lallapur). The organization has administered in allotting 3500 Bunkar card among weavers families.

To translate policy into practice PVCHR has begun working on the latest part of its strategy, Jan Mitra Gaon or People-Friendly Village. These are villages where the community has durable local institutions that work to promote basic human rights in the face of continuous discrimination. PVCHR has adopted 3 rural villages and 2 urban slums, to mount his pilot projects, which include reactivating defunct primary schools, eradicating, bonded labor, ensuring and encouraging education of the Girl Child and promoting non-formal education. The Village committees consist of 50% or more Dalits and seek to realize greater political representation of Dalits on village councils.
PVCHR networks with International human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to increase pressure on the Indian government and broaden support for the movement against caste System.

PVCHR also has the distinction of using the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to award the highest amount in compensation to a violence survivor. Due to their continuous advocacy, the State Human Rights Commission for the State of Uttar Pradesh was established.

People like Dominique Lapierre, John Chirac, Canon Michael Wolfe, Justice M.N. Venkatachelliah, Mr. Javed Akhtar (Film Script Writer & Lyricist), Otto Tausig (Austrian Comedian Actor) and many other national and international luminaries have highly appreciated PVCHR’s enthusiasm and the grassroots level functioning.

By linking a coalition of National and International supporters to local campaigns against caste injustice, PVCHR are awakening, arousing and encouraging the Indian Civil Society to diagnose and treat the caste origin of Social conflict. Though “Untouchability “ was outlawed by the Indian Constitution fifty years ago, in reality, caste division continues to exist in Indian Civil Society particularly in the Villages where 80% of Indians live. Subsequent laws have elaborated the rights and protections due to Dalits and tribal minorities. But contradiction between the laws that are supposed to govern a society, and the ethics and beliefs, which in fact rule the streets, run high. Civil society treats the symptoms of caste discrimination without attacking the disease itself. There is a tendency to reduce problems originating from caste conflict to problems of poverty. Higher income, however, does not preclude cultural discrimination. Each case is treated by giving out aids to the person suffering from a particular rights violation without looking at the underlying caste discrimination. The greater impact of such an approach has been negligible because it sought to achieve equality among people whose inherent inequality was accepted by society, perpetuated by Government and seldom challenged.

PVCHR has already received a lot of recognition from several international organizations like ILPS, Amnesty International, Human Rights watch (U.S.), Anti- Slavery International, CRY, FIAN international, Educational International, Child line India, National Institute of Social Defense (India), SPARC (Pakistan) etc for the success The translation of Dr. Lenin’s ideas was in the following form: it has two-pronged system. They Global Advocacy and Grassroots Intervention (G 2) .In Global Advocacy he took up the anti-people polices like WTO, World Bank, IMF, G-7 at international level fully supported the Jubilee 2000 Debt Relief Campaign, Ethical Trade, Who Runs the world etc reporting to Amnesty International of serious issues as well as joining their campaigns from time to time. Also participated in the Global March against child Labor as well as the ILO Convention for worst form of child labor in Geneva, etc. It has developed a national and international network of Jurist, Journalist, Human Rights groups etc The Sitting Judge of The Constitutional Court of South Africa & Chancellor of the University of Durban is the Patron of PVCHR while the CEO of The Indo- German Society in the Germen City of Remscheid is PVCHR’s Ambassador to Europe.

HR POLICY, GENDER POLICY & FINANCIAL POLICY OF THE ORGANISATION

HUMAN RESOURCE POLICY

The Core Group in consultation with Core Team recruits the staff. Whilst in the termination process the Core team takes the decision and is seconded by the Core Group.

In matters of disciplinary action with regards to Financial Matters, Sexual Harassment at workplace, Negligence in duties etc approval of the Director and Core Group is required.

Staff engaged can be categorised in three different ways:

· Full time employees who are insured.
· Staff employed on a yearly basis or as per the requirement of the project with specific Terms of Reference.
· Consultants, whose expertise/services are hired.

Positive discrimination on the basic of socio-economic status, socio-cultural situation, political situation and historical background of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes is practised.
· There is no discrimination on the basis of gender and caste in remuneration.
· Because of their socio-cultural situation a longer probation period is being offered to them. (SC, ST and females)
· Percentage of female staff is less because of the socio-cultural factors of the Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

GENDER POLICY

A Committee on Sexual Harassment deals with such issues. At present Mrs. Shruti Nagvanshi and Mrs. Bindu Singh are Members of the committee.

FINANCIAL POLICY

There is a clear-cut financial policy. All funds approved are utilised through the co-ordinator, the Director and Accountant do further evaluation and crosschecking.

PEOPLE’S COMMENTS ABOUT PVCHR.

Justice Sukumaran – Rtd.Judge, High Court of Kerela & Bombay:
“India’s hope for the future rests in the selfless services of activists who are informed, involved and idealistic. Earth, Earthly –like the worms, which enrich the land some, are as Churchill put it “glow – worms “. They show the way amidst encircling glow. I had the great privilege to spend a few hours with those great missionaries of the new century – a unique luck; I deem it .

Justice Zakaria Mohd. Yacoob , Sitting Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa & Chancellor of Durban – Westville.:
“ PVCHR does wonderful work under very difficult circumstances. We are proud to be associated with you –India & the World need more of such Workers.”
Otto Tausig, Austrian Film Actor:
“ On some occasion I am wearing the T-shirt you gave me for the purpose that people should ask me whose face is it showing. Then I tell them in a country far away from our own there are people like Safdar Hashmi & Dr.Lenin who were and who are fighting for things worth fighting for and we too should work for a better world.” “My thoughts are with you and my best wishes for the success of your work. It’s the same cause you and I are working for. There is hunger, exploitation and disregard of human and child rights all over the world but also a growing understanding that we have to globalize the fight against it.”
Dominique Lapierre (Author-Freedom at Midnight & City of Joy)& social activist “The World needs great voices like those of PVCHR shouting for Human Dignity”.

26TH June Benares Convention & Declaration.

The Date & Venue
The Date and Venues of the Convention have great national significance and convey a secular message. On The 26th of June Indira Gandhi’s emergency threatened Indian democracy. The Father of The Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who united every Indian irrespective of Caste, Color and Creed, established the two venues - The Temple of Mother India(Bharat Mata Mandir) and Kashi Vidhya Peet University.

The Schedule
The event was to begin with gathering on the grounds of The Temple of Mother India by 10am. A Rally to the Gandhi Adhiyayan Peet ,to assemble in the Convention Hall by 12.30am. Here some 17 prominent personalities experienced in social work and people’s movement addressed them. Finally the assembled people will deliberate and vote on some major points, which will go to form the Benares Declaration.
International Support
Some 15 International organizations/Individuals from 10 countries emailed their support for the Convention, regretting their inability to attend due to prior commitments. They also faxed their “Statement of Support & Solidarity” for the convention.

Regional Support.

The Rally

By 10am on the morning of the 26th, people slowly started gathering on the huge grounds of the Temple of Mother India. More than 3000 Villagers from some 40 villages mostly Women and Children arrived by Buses, Tractors, Train, and Jeeps. Several came by bicycles and by walking. Representatives of several NGOs working in Varanasi (Grammya,Asmita & PUCL) and neighboring districts also arrived. There were also scholars, intellectuals, Poets & Writers, journalists and members of the civil society from the city itself. The rally began with three rows of people walking one after the other carrying banners and placard. Some of the wording on the placards was “Voice of the South-end to discrimination” & “Long live struggle against Imperialism and communalism”. Leading them were artist of Prena Kala Manch with their singing and dancing. In front of them, a rickshaw fitted with mike and speaker blared revolutionary songs. All through the route, the rallyist were shouting slogans and distributing pamphlets. Moving out of the Mother India temple grounds, The Rally wound its way through Englishia lines to Maldaiya Crossing to Gandhi Adhyayan Peeth. It lasted for one hour.

The Convention.
The Convention began around 1pm in the Convention hall of the Gandhi Adhyayan Peet.The huge hall was not big enough to accommodate the rallyist and many were sitting in passageways and the lawn outside. But the organizers had anticipated this and placed several Loud Speakers outside so that the speeches were clearly audible to the assembled crowd

Innaugration-Panchnaad
The Panchnad representing the musicians of Varanasi inaugurated the Convention with a Classical Musical Recital. At the Sarod was Pt.Vikash Maharaj, on the Shennai was Mumtaz, belonging to the family of Bismillah Khan, and on the Tabala was young Prabhash Maharaj. The assembled crowd heard the recital in complete silence. They were singing the famous phrase “Sare Jahan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara”

Jan Mitra Award.
This was followed by presentation of the “JAN MITRA AWARD” to field activist for their outstanding performance. It is given every year and this year it was presented to Prof.B.N.Juyal; Ms.Malati Singh (ERA, Uttaranchal); Dhirendra Pratap Singh (VOP) and Mr.Mahendra Parida of Orissa.

The Speakers & Speeches.
After this, several speakers voiced their support and opinion on the declaration. Mr.Ambarish Rai,NAFRE spoke on the importance and relevance of the Convention in the face of Global economic and political imperialism of the America. Citing the example of the policies of WTO and the attack on Iraq, he asked the people to place their total moral and physical strength behind the Convention. Mr. Sandeep Pandey recipient of Magsaysay award 2002 spoke next. He said that in 1960, Jayaprakash Narayan established the Gandhian Institute of Studies at Rajghat out of his own money and resources. Soon after the formation of BJP government, the institute was closed. Mr.Rameshwar Mishra Pankaj and Kusum Lata Kedia with the help of the Police and administration closed the institute. The original management committee is now sitting on Strike in the verandah. He referred to the conflict of Gandhian Institute of Studies at Rajghat where he along with several like-minded NGOs were on an indefinite strike protesting against the communal forces attempting to capture the Gandhian Institute of Studies. Voicing his support for the convention, he emphasized its relevance in the current political situation when fundamentalist forces were undermining our democratic institutions. He narrated his ordeal with the police forces and their misuse of power. He narrated how the SO of Adampura Thana, Kapil Dev Misra, abused using filthy words, beat and tortured him and his colleagues last night. The City Magistrate, Sarvagiya Ram Mishra and the SO Kapil Dev Mishra were acting on the instruction of Murali Manohar Joshi. The Police and Administration are with the Sangh Parivaar. Ms.Haseena khan of Awaze Niswa followed him. Even though 54 to 55 years have passed since partition, the Muslim community is being asked to prove their loyalty to the nation and is accused of having connections with some foreign Muslim country. This is a very serious issue and there is the need to understand the politics behind it. She described how our women folks became communal, referring to the involvement of women in Gujarat violence. She said that domestic violence should be opposed .One who does not stop domestic violence, what will he do outside? The Government does not regard domestic violence as violence but mere family quarrel. The BJP, RSS and VHP are recruiting Dalits and Adivasis in their movements. Gujarat is the example. Today Adivasis and Dalits are regretting that they have been used. Secular forces should unite. In riots it is the women who suffer the most. We are not consulted for marriage nor do we have the independence neither to wear what we like nor to ask any questions. In communalism the plight of women are never considered. Communalism and imperialism should be seen through the eyes of women also. Women issues are taken up according to the type of audience. We should look at women issues from the point of view of women. She referred to the attack on secular institutions in Varanasi and also on Gujarat. The new economic policy has affected the livelihood of many minority families. The Gujarat experiment can be used elsewhere also. Finally she said that the Secularist is not really secular if they do not oppose domestic violence. She talked about the sufferings of women in the home, in the riots and in public. She drew our attention to the society‘s lack of concern for the dignity and respect of women and cited the example of Gujarat riots. She also condemned the repeated call to the Muslim community to prove their loyalty to the nation. Mr.Kawal Bharti, the renowned writers for Dalit issues spoke next. He said that he is a Dalit and that his focus is on Dalit issues and the audience was also Dalits. He condemned the Dalit community for being content following others and not raising their own flag and leading their own struggle. We are not enemies of Brahman. Our is a social fight. We want justice. Our fight is with capitalism and feudalism. These three forces-Brahmanical forces, Capitalism and Feudalism are stopping the Dalits. He drew the people’s attention to the attempt to involve Dalit in the Temple-Mosque issue in Ayodhya claiming that in terms of the interest of the Dalit community, Ramjanma Bhoomi –Babri Masjid issue has no relevance to the Dalit Community. This is the fight of fundamentalist .A fight of the Terrorists. I request all Dalits not to involve in any conflict over Temple and Mosque.This is not your fight. Ask your leaders- Brahmans and Capitalist want peace, so why are they leading our movements? The Dalit wants revolution. The public must understand -they must understand their fight. These were merely attempts to divert the attention of Dalits and weaken their movements. Prof.D.Prempati said that 26th June has great significance.27 to 28 years ago, on this day, Indira Gandhi imposed emergency .It was very dangerous. Thousands were jailed while in the towns and villages, poor people were tortured. After two years there did changes, Changes in Social and Political understand? Since then there has been Caste and religious violence due to the emergency .Today we need to fight a decisive battle. A 3500 year old civilization yet extremes of poverty. The Government says that 40% of the Indians are below poverty line .This is a lie. Due to government policies, Globalisation, liberalisation poverty has increased and become worse. Youths have no employment. Poverty has come from caste system. The caste system is the greatest obstacle to development. The Caste System has to be challenged Even the Caste based parties and pro-labor parties are not thinking about the caste system. More dangerous than Caste System is escapiscm.According to the great thinker Karl Marx, Bring equality and drive away capitalism. It was believed that Industrialization will end Caste System. But this was proved wrong.Industralisation was brought by upper caste capitalist during the time of British Colonialism. The Caste System is growing stronger. Our society has two types of caste-the ruling caste and the slave castes- The Shudra, The Untouchables and The Backwards. Those with property is the ruling caste.Ms.Mayawati becoming the Chief Minister, has not given the Dalit ruling power. Instead she along with upper caste in the administration is siphoning the funds meant for the development of Dalilts.We has to get out of the caste system. People have to organize. The ruling caste wants to introduce the new instrument of fascism. Fascism has come from different countries in different ways. We have to fight those claiming to belong to superior caste. There is three thousand years of evidence that we have been suffering all these years. This is a long and dangerous fight.Fascisim is more dangerous than emergency. We must remain ready to fight. Which was imposed on this day? He related the suffering of the people at the hands of a corrupt police and in the absence of democratic institutions including a Free Press. He asked those assembled to recall those terrible days and warned them that unless we stop this fundamentalism we will have to suffer another emergency like situation. Supreme Court lawyer Mr.Colin Gonzalvis spoke on the Food situation in India. He told that case has been going on in the Supreme Court for the past two years. Supreme Court has instructed that mid-day meal be given in all schools. Two states -Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have started but not the Government of UP. The SC has also instructed special cards for poor women and differentabled through which the card holders can get wheat at Rs.2 per Kg and Rice at Rs.3 per KG. Court’s attention is on the UP Government. The struggle is for mid-day meal. He related how the food god owns in the country were filled with grains but the same was not available for the several families below poverty line .The government was least concerned of the plight of the marginalized or Dalit.Instead it was exporting the grains to western countries for use as fodder for animals.Mr.Vidya Bhushan Rawat said that the fight for secularism must be joined with the fight to break the hold of Brahmanism and Caste System. The Dalit Struggle has no relations with the issue of Mandir and Masjid.In the village we must oppose the attempt by Manuwadis to destabilize the traditional Indian systems. The Mandir movement will only strengthen the imperilism. For Dalits the issue is Self-Respect. We must drop Fatalism and Religion. Syncretic arrangements without the involvement of women and Dalits are unjustified. He called the people not to led their movement go astray but to remain concentrated on the Dalit movement. They should not get involved in religious and temple issues which were mere attempts to divide the Dalit community.Mr.Chitranjan Singh, State Vice-President of PUCL, said that the biggest danger to India is Globalization and Global Capitalism .He pointed out the growing nexus between the forces of globalization and fundamentalist forces within the country and the gradual weakening of democratic norms in the system. Mr.Hiralal of CPM, talked on the plight of the farm laborers who were landless and did not receive the prescribed minimum wages. The nation was faced with much trouble and instead of solving them the government was indulging in issues such the building of temple etc. He called for a mass movement in Varanasi. Ms.Mani Mala , a famous feminist Writer & Journalist , who struggles for women rights told the audience that the struggle of the Dalits and women were the same. Both belong to the weakest section of society and are victims in the hands of anti - social elements.

But today the government is more concerned with Capitalism and material world and least concerned with women and Dalit issues. She cited the tradition wherein during drought a naked Dalit woman was made to plough the field to cause rain. Similarly in the name of religion, Dalit are marginalized. Calling Hinduism as nothing but caste system she said that Dalit were never involved in the destruction of the Babri Masjid except those who were misled. She claimed to have asked a Dalit woman about why she was there and was informed that she had come along for the fun of travel. Thus it is clear that several Dalits were cheated into going to Ayodhya. She called for new leadership and new strategy. Mr. Mona Soor of NAPM & VOP followed with his call for an in-depth look into the sudden rise in fundamentalism and stop them giving up control of our resources to foreigners. The system must be changed. For this we have to form a vibrant front. We have to make our world.Mr.Indu Prakash ,housing rights activist said that in Delhi the largest number of people without homes were those from UP. Government should make policies in their favour.We opposed communalism. We will not allow another Gujarat to take place.Mr.Prashaant Shukla of CPI (ML) said that the forces of Emergency and enemies of farmers and laborers People are dying of starvation. It is a dangerous situation. The Fascist and the Americans are enemies. The fight will be lead by the peasantary.Minimum wages should be given to workers in the unorganized sectors and in starvation deaths, the DM must be held accountable. He told the assembled people that they were the government and that it was they who ran the government. They asked them not to elect such corrupt people. Reminding them that they themselves were leaders of the movement Finally Ms.Mamata Dash of CRY spoke the last .She told the assembled people that CRY fully supported the Convention and Declaration and was much impressed by the presence of so many women. She supported Manimala that women and Dalits were neglected groups.

Presidential Address
Mr.Sunit Chopra, National Joint Secretary of Khet Mazdoor Union (agriculture Laborers’ Union) & Senior CPI (M) leader delivered the presidential address, summing up the Convention. He thanked the 17 odd speakers for their insight into the relevant and related issues of the convention. He said tiny North Korea defeated Imperialism and so did Cuba. We must separate the exploiters from among us and unite the exploited to defeat communalism. Casticism cannot be defeated by Caste. It can only be defeated by class struggle. Inter caste marriages should take place. Some people say that even communist have caste system. But we know that when Nambooripad joined the communist movement, his plate and cups was separated by family members. No one is born in a caste but is made. The caste system must be destroyed. However he pointed out that very little had been mentioned about Indian capitalism. He attacked the government for its anti people policies and condemned its plans for privatization, which will affect the poor and marginalized. He pointed out that almost 60% of our farmers owned less 1 hectare of land. So they need the help of the government for Fertilisers,seeds,water but the government under the influence of the world bank and WTO , is forming corporations .The government is taking lands from the Tribal under the new economic policies. Unemployment is spreading and even in villages employment is becoming very difficult. The current intake of an average Indian today is 1.48 Kg which is similar to the time of the Bengal famine. 6.4 Cr.Tons of grains are lying in God owns .We have to rise above castisicsm and communalism. This is a life and death struggle. Farmers are sent to jail for Rs.10, 000.00 loan but when the capitalist who owe the banks more than One lac 57 thousand Crore are charged they file defamation cases. A corrupt government was neglecting the masses. Farmers were caged for delay in repayment of loans while rich capitalist went Scott free with their huge loans. The country was facing a neo- colonialism in the form of capitalism and globalization and they is using local capitalist and fundamentalist for their aims. Thus the Convention and Declaration is most appropriate for our times and we have to keep up our struggle and commitment. Today people are dying of hunger. They are committing suicide. We will also die fighting. We will have to fight against Indian Capitalist thieves. Imperialism will die in the end.
In the end he recited the points of the Benares Declaration, one by one, and the crowd voiced its support with raised hands.

The FRM Core Group

While the Rally and Convention was in progress, several individuals comprising of Intellectuals, Social Activists, Workers and Community members from the Villages, Urban Slums, City and Rural areas were sitting at the “Convention Secretariat” in Malati Hotel, Cantt where they deliberated on the economic policies of the Government, US Imperialism and violation of national sovereignty, Communalism, and Fascism etc. The conclusions from this discussion were summarized into the Benares Declaration to be released on the 26th. After the Convention, for intensifying the movement, a Core Group was formed comprising of Prof.Deepak Malik (Ex-President of BHU Teachers’ Association), Advocate Tanveer Ahmad, Sanjay Rai, Dr.Lenin, Bindu, Maheshnand, Shruti and Gaurav Sehgal. The Core Group held a two-day meeting to draw out a formal plan of action for Varanasi and adjoining areas to check disparity among the masses. Four regional centers were selected i.e. Guwahati in the North East, Chennai in the South, Mumbai in the West and Delhi in the North. The Core Group would also contact the people of Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka and Pakistan in an effort to mobilize South Asian public opinion against the growing interference of US Imperialism in the sub continent. Internationally the Core Group resolved to work closely with the International League for Peoples Struggle, which is a joint body of some 200 people’s movement groups from some 40 countries. The ILPS will be opposing the ministerial meeting of WTO scheduled to be held in Mexico between 13th to 17th September 2003.

The Benares Declaration.

1.Oppose the American led imperialistic rule and the suppressing regimes and exploitation. Oppose the Indian decision to send military to Iraq and pressurize that force should not be send despite parliament‘s agreement.
2. To organize a force in against and oppose the attempt of the Saffron brigade to saffronise the rainbow culture of the country. We strongly support the pluralism of our country and are determined not to allow anyone to destroy the pluralistic atmosphere of the country.
3. Crushing of Karmnasha package and strengthening of people/masses against the wrongful killing of innocent tribal and dalits in name of naxalism and terrorism.
4. Protest against the remnants of feudalism-- and Devdasi practice etc.
5. The economic policies made under the influence of World Bank, IMF, G-8, World Trade Organization and transnational companies have brought unemployment. People would be made aggressive against such policies and support movements against these policies and the government would not be allowed to step back from welfare State.
6. We oppose the Government’s plan to connect our major rivers despite the ecological implications and ignoring the more urgent problem of pollution of almost all our rivers. We will oppose any move to give control of our Common property resources to Multinational companies and resolve to protect the marginal community and its interests.
7. We resolve to boycott Soft drinks like Coca Cola and Pepsi marketed by multinationals, inform the public about the harmful side effects of Coca-Cola and Pepsi and all products of Hindustan Livers.
8. Fight State and non-state actor’s suppression on the right to _expression and fight democratic mindset to put them right...
9. Equal, Secular, Free Compulsory elementary education is the responsibility of the government and the gimmicks with education should be stopped ., Landless should be granted land and men and women equally, remove Article 20 of the Forest Act, prohibiting Adivasis use of their land and eliminate multinational control of common property resources.
10. Government provide guarantee of employment and aid to the unemployed.
11. Demand centralized law for landless agricultural laborers and domestic workers...
12. Ensure purchase of weavers and farmers produce while the Public distribution System prices should be brought at half of present process...
13. Demand law and their enforcement in regard to bonded labour,child labor , sexual harassment, castiest and gender harassment.
14. Those ministers responsible for the destruction of the Babri Masjid must resign tried in court and punished.
15.Indian industrialists have not paid 1.57 lacs cores to the banks which that had taken as credits. They should be taken back while the loans of poor farmer should be excluded.
16. Provide homes to the homeless and provide shelter to the homeless in urban areas.
17. We opposes the Kanhar Dam Project and the Concept of Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Dinner Party for Convention Delegates.

On the evening of the 26th, the delegates attending the Convention were given a dinner party at the residence of Dr.Lenin. Almost all the Convention delegates and staffs of PVCHR’s attended it. The dinner began at approximately 7pm and finished at around 10pm. The Dinner programme true to Benares tradition began with a recital of Classical Music by Panchnad members Pt.Vikash Maharaj at the Sarod and Mumtaz on the Shennai. Both the music and dinner programme were highly appreciated by the invitees.

Muslim Personal Law & Women
On the 27th of July, a seminar on the relations between Muslim personal law and women was organized at the premises of the Gandhian Institute of Studies (Sarva Seva Sangh). The Chief speaker at the seminar was Ms.Haseena Khan of Awaze-e-Niswa. She described the plight of women in the Muslim community and claimed that if the “Nikah Ceremony” were registered it would make it easier for the Muslim women to claim their rights. Every religion gives men more rights in comparison to women and when women ask for their rights, men claim it would destroy religion. She along with other speakers called for enhancing and widening the women rights movements.

Future Programmes.
The Forum for the Rights of Marginalized (FRM) is a loose forum of different organizations and individuals of diverse background, sharing a common vision for the creation of a secular and tolerant society. The Forum represents a united challenge to Communal and Fascist forces and sends a loud message to the nation and the world. The Core Group of FRM has decided on the following activities: -1)Training 2) Workshops 3) Seminar 4) Research 5) Documentation 6) Monitoring 7) Fact finding 8) Networking 9) Action Alert 10) FRM bulletin-a bimonthly or SOS basis Internet bulletin.11) Gasht (Hindi) Magazine 12)Mass mobilization & campaign.

COMMENTS
1) “The public movement against the economic policy formulated on the dictates of the World Bank (WB), IMF, World Trade Organization (WTO) and Multi Nationals, would be widely supported.” TIMES OF INDIA 28JUNE 03.
2) “Intellectuals and social activists from different parts of the country today stood united against the government’s anti people policies at the cost of welfare of common man.” HINDUSTAN 27 JUNE 03
3) {“PEOPLE’S DEMOCRACY” [Weekly Newpaper of CPI-M] :}

Rally, Convention against BJP policies, US Imperialism.

June 26, the 28th Anniversary of the Emergency promulgated by Mrs.Indira Gandhi in 1975, saw a mass mobilization of the peasantry, many of them women, from over 40 villages around Varanasi. Intellectuals, Writers, activists of some three dozen NGOs, political parties and mass organizations also came in large numbers. The function was organized by the Vanchit Adhikar Manch.

A 2000 strong rally marched from the Bharat Mata Mandir to the Gandhian Study Institute of Kashi Vidyapity, where a convention was held, presided over by Suneet Copra, joint secretary, All India Agricultural Workers Union. The convention began with a jugalbandi featuring Pundit Vikas Maharaj on Sarod and Mumtaz Khan on Shehnai with Prabhash Maharaj accompanying on tabla.

Representatives of some 35 NGOs, mass organizations and political parties attended the convention. It was addressed among others, by CPI(M) state secretariat member Dr.Hira Lal, Vanchit Adhikar Manch convener Dr.Lenin, Magsaysay Award winning social activist Sandip Pandey who returned the award money, legal NGO activist Colin Gonsalves and Ambrish Rai from Delhi, Chittaranjan Singh (PUCL), Prashant Shukla(CPI-ML Liberation),Dalit Writer and Activist Kanwal Bharati , senior journalist and activist Manimala, Hasina Khan( Awaz-e-Niswan), Dhirendra Pratap, Ashok Bharati,Pawan Rana,Mamata Das,Ashok Anand and V.B.Rawat.

The convention passed a demands charter opposing the unipolar US dominated world and asked the Indian government not to send troops to Iraq. It urged for a stiff fight to defend India’s composite culture against the forces of communal fascists who are attempting to impose a unitary Hindutva in its place. It urged for day to day struggle against casteism and communalism dividing our society and diverting people from fighting for their just demands. It urged for a bitter struggle against the central government’s attempt to side with US imperialism for a few crumbs from its table, which the USA would not give it. It condemned the failure of the central government and bourgeois-landlord state governments to implement land reforms, for the destruction of the PDS and for their failure to provide immediate relief to millions of starving people in the country. It urged for an employment guarantee scheme and free and compulsory education. It condemned the failure to provide house sites and shelters for the homeless. It also demanded an end to atrocities against the scheduled castes and tribes and to such evil practices like Sati, child labor and bondage. It condemned the murder of innocent people through fake encounters and harassment of people under POTA. It is called for a comprehensive central legislation for agricultural laborers and a similar one for domestic workers.

The convention urged for a powerful movement to defeat the anti people policies of the BJP led government and its attempt to invite US imperialism into our country.

Putting this Benares charter to vote before hundreds of people from different walks of life, Suneet Chopra in his presidential address said that authoritarian forces are still active in the country. Only the masks they wear are different at various times and places. He said the government at the centre is an authoritarian and pro-imperialist one and is using divisive tactics to divert the people from united resistance. Chopra called for a broad based unity in struggle to defeat the BJP’s divisive communal and fascist designs and to rally the masses against the global offensive US imperialism has launched to control the whole world. He demanded that the Indian government give up its abhorrent plan to send Indian troops to Iraq and end its collaboration with the US armed forces that is threatening our national security. He urged for a powerful struggle against the central government’s policy of looting the farmers, agricultural laborers, workers and middle classes under the WTO’S LPG prescriptions. Such policies are in favor of the big bourgeoisie, landlords and their imperialist collaborators and need to be defeated.

The charter was voted for unanimously. It called for a boycott of Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola and of goods from multinationals of the USA and its allies. This powerful response from people after the BSP’s narrow victory in the Chiraigaon assembly by-election because of the failure of the Congress (I) and SP to unite to defeat the BJP-BSP combine, brought new hope to the people of varanasi that consistent forces are there to take up the struggle for democratic rights as well as to fight communalism, authoritarianism and imperialist penetration.

Published in:
· All local Hindi & English daily newspapers.
· People’s democracy-Weekly organ of the CPI(M)
· Hindi Weekly Newspaper of CPI(M)-“Loklahar”
· TV: ETV, City Cable, Sneh Distri, Star Plus.

ON WEBSITES & YAHOO GROUPS.
1. WWW.Crin.org ( Website of Child Rights International Network,UK)
2. South Asia Citizen Wire.
3. WWW .irct.org (Website of International Rehabilitation Council of Torture Victims)
4. Friends of UP
5. Tulong-Pinoy @ yahoogroups.com, Philippines.
6. India thinkers

Names of Organizations participating in the Convention.

Peoples Vigilance committee on Human Rights(PVCHR), Asmita,Gramya, Kanhar Bachao Andolon,GSS, CERT,Citizen front,AIM,Savitri Ba Phule Women forum,PATH, Perana Kala Manch, Kala Kammune, Mazdoor Kisan Morcha,Disha,Parivartan, PGVP,Human Rights Law Network, Tatvasi Samaj, MitroMandal, DAG, CREDA, Bhartiya Jansewa Samaj,GRASES,Human Rights & Development Society,Ashok Mission,Lok Samiti, Asha, Sankalp, Vision,Shikhar,Prashikshan Sansthan,Mira, Bhoomi Hakdari Morcha, VOP,PUCL,CPI,CPI(ML),CPM.

MESSAGES RECEIVED.
Otto Tausig, Austrian Film Actor.
There is hunger, exploitation & disregard of human & child rights all over the world but also a growing understanding, that we have to “globalize” the fight against it with the best wishes form one far away & yet very near you

Mr.Shinichi Noguchi, Secretary General, Niwano Peace Foundation.
“I hope that your important event will be fruitful and successful.”

Andy Brooks, General Secretary, New Communist Party of Britain.
“Please send our best wishes for the success of the convention to all participants”
Nandita Das, Film Actress “It is truly my loss, as the theme of the convention seems very interesting and very close to my heart.”

A.B.Bardhan, General Secretary, CPI.
“I would have very much liked to be present and associated with the Benares Declaration”

Mr.Chanchal Sinha, Regional Manager, CRY.
“Against the circumstances, meeting and conferences as these (Benares Declaration) serve the purpose of cautioning and preparing the people against the threats posed by extremist and fanatic forces. There is no power more powerful than the power of the people and therefore it is important that human rights organizations & individuals work together to restore to people their democratic rights & prepare them for future threats posed by changing external situation that largely influences internal environment.”

Mr.Subhasis Chakrabarty, General Manager, CRY.
“I salute to the efforts PVCHR is making to mobilize all democratic forces at Varanasi.”

Rita.T.Barua, Secretary General, ILPS, Phillipines Chapter.
“We are deeply pleased & inspired to know that the organizers of the Benares Convention & Declaration are convening a broad range of leaders from many parts of the world & in India itself to assert once again a secular & pluralistic world as opposed to those who want a special and privileged class above the basic sectors of Indian Society & who are in connivance with imperialism & all forms of reaction. Our support to the Benares Convention & Declaration.”

Dominique Lapierre, France.
“…..My heart will be with you for the full success of your convention & the Benares Declaration & noble ideals against slavery exploitation related to human rights & the child labor concern. The world needs great voices like those of PVCHR shouting for human dignity.”

FRESH ATTACK ON SECULAR INSTITUTIONS OF VARANASI.

As the conference progressed, we received news from The Gandhian Institute of Studies at Rajghat ,of attacks on the activist protesting the takeover of that secular institution by the BJP government. This attack shows the appropriateness of the timing of this Convention, for it brought to the attention of the public, the dangers to Secularism and Pluralism, from the present government. The 2000 Magsaysay Laureate Sandip Pandey’s narration of the behaviour of the Police personals including officers displays the extend to which this government is misusing the Government Organs to propagate its own saffron agenda at the expense of Secular principles of the Indian constitution.

To express our Solidarity with the activist of the Sarva Seva Sangh Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, the following signed public petition was issued:

“We! The undersigned mass organizations and NGOs, who are in Varanasi in connection with the Banaras Declaration, condemn the threat by the Bajrang Dal to attack the peaceful dharna of the Sarva Seva Sangh Bachao Sangharsh Samiti on the land owned by the Samiti at the site of the Gandhian Institute of Studies. This threat clearly aims at disturbing the peace and we demand that the administration ensure that the dharna is not disrupted by unruly elements, as the matter is under adjudication and the existing GIS Managing Committee has obtained two stay orders from the High Court at Allahabad. We also appeal to the people of Banaras not to allow such criminals to threaten the peace in our city and ensure that they are isolated and exposed for what they are.”

Conceptual Understanding of JMN on Child Participation

JMN considers all children up to 18 years as children. In this feudal society, chief of family takes all decisions. This phenomenon is available either in patriarchal or matriarchal family. The structure of family and society is constituted on this premise. Although the democratic system of governance has been adopted in this country, but there is no room for participation of all persons equally. Regarding participation of children, all adults, families and above all society seem to be diffident. If we closely observe behaviors of children, we find that children fight among themselves and become united after sometime. However, this does not happen with adults. Adults make division in the society on the basis of caste, religion, class and gender and try to inject this division among children.

JMN considers children as an integral part of democracy; and their voices need to heard in all decision making process. However, JMN does not believe in creating anarchy in the name of democracy. In this context, JMN thinks that individuals including children make the society. So it is to be seen that some individuals do not take away rights or enjoy rights at the cost of rights all individuals. In the same vein, society as a whole does not deprive individuals.

JMN also does not like to form a parallel Bal Panchayats as that Panchayats. The organization considers that it is the duty of the government organs to oversee that local panchayats functions properly.

The organization feels that children should become aware and conscientise about their own rights. And this conscientisation process should not be imposed on them; rather it should grow out from them. So there is a need to have sustained dialogues with children to know their viewpoints about society and after knowing their viewpoints children should be engaged to dissect of their viewpoints. Such dissection will facilitate the process of building perspective among children about society. Activists should learn from children and should engage children for further learning. Then only programme of children should be designed and implemented.

The organisation likes to ensure that children should be engaged in curriculum design, teaching and learning and evaluation of schools. The organisation believes in creating an environment where every individual including children can equally and intelligently participate in learning and exchanging knowledge and ideas.

Right to Participation

v Children will take decision.
v Children and adults will take decision jointly.
v Opinions of children have been taken.
v Children have taken decision, which have been prescribed or asked.
v Children’s voices are heard and children’s perspectives are looked into.

Present position of child participation in JMN works in two villages: Belwa and Shivrampur. It also works in urban slums- Baghawanala.

Belwa: There is a Bal Panchayat in this village which is known as Sant Kabir Bal Panchayat. This BAL Panchayat stands in fourth category.

Shivrampur: This village has also a BAL Panchayat, which is known as Dr. B.R. Ahmedkar. Maximum members are school going Dalits and other backward castes children.
Baghawanala: There is a Bal Panchayat in this slums,which is known as Munshi Prem Chand Bal Panchayat. Maximum members of this Panchayats are working children and child labour. This Panchayat stands in fourth category.

Who are members of Bal Panchayats?

Any child in the age group of 6-14 can become member of Bal Panchayats.

How are leaders and where does the work would be done?
All children will elect a coordinator and an assistant coordinator in a village. All coordinators and assistant coordinators will assemble together at the Panchayat level to elect a coordinator and assistant coordinators.

What are the functions of Bal Panchayats?
Bal Panchayats members will understand child related issues and will develop perspective on child related issues. Bal Panchayat members will together in every month. They will organize and agitate along with adult members of the community against exploitation, violation of child rights.

How does Bal Panchayas will ensure child participation?

Members of Bal Panchayat members will reach to all children and sensitise them about their rights. Members will work towards ensuring participation of all children in decision-making.

What would be the role of adults?
The role of the adults would be facilitator of blooming and ensuring participation of all children.

Involvement of Parent:

Since, Our project emerged out of learning from doing among marginalized community. We collect unorganized views from the said field and process them into a systematic and organized idea on the basis of their: socio-economic conditions, socio-cultural base, political situation and historical background of social anthropology. Thus, views from the people and ideas for the people, therefore, ownership of the project directly as well as indirectly goes back to people.
We discuss entire view with Experts, Core Group and Core Team Members and transform them into systematic and concrete ideas for the project. Thus, ownership of the project belongs to the people therefore; sustainability of the project is life long.
(i) We adopt villages.
(ii) Set objectives according to the condition of the village.
(iii) Apply our staff according to existing situation of the village for community based organization (CBOs)
(a) PVCHR (b) Savitri Ba Phule Women Forum (c) Youvak Panchayat (d) Bal Panchayat
Therefore, automatically withdrawal of the project staff from the village with assurance to the village community to provide any indirect support in future for their progress and conflict management.
Because, as per the Constitution of the Republic of India, it is the responsibility of the state to provide people of the Republic of India: essential infrastructure along with services for their progress.

As our responsibility to make them aware of their rights and duties along with responsibility of the self, family, community, society, state, nation and of the world society to promote and establish a culture for peace, prosperity and harmony for a better and just World Society. And sustainable application of human as well as natural resources; to establish a harmonious relationship between their ways of life and nature as a culture to protect and preserve the Heritage of the Mother Earth for the Universal Order at large.

Our continuous participation of target groups in the evolution and implementation of the project. For further modification, moderation and enhancement.

One of the most important aspects of our project is that, we do not implement any of the project without forming a Group of people within the identified Community of the village. Our projects fully tries and implement the ideas of our Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi for ‘Village Republic’ as well as the ideas of the Architect of our Constitution of the Republic of India, Dr. B.R.Ambedker for ‘Social Democracy.’

Framing of false Charges on Dr.Lenin –Ashoka Fellow & Defender of Human Rights, Threat to life and false detention ,for demanding Right to Education for marginalized Dalit Children.

Earlier we had alerted you to false detention of the Convener of PVCHR, Dr.Lenin –Ashoka Fellow 2000-along with other activist demanding implementation of education rights of Dalit children, which is given below. Today, 8th September 2003, Mr.Rajendra Tiwari in the company of three of his henchmen, came to Dr.Lenin ‘s House cum Office, at around 9 am .He abused Dr.Lenin using filthy abusive words. In his hand he held a copy of his letter to the SSP regarding bonded labourers in Mr.Tiwari’s Brick Kiln factory. After heavy argument, he struck Dr.Lenin and threatening to kill him, he and his men fled. In the confusion, he left behind his letter to the SSP .The three men with him, had their face covered. Dr.Lenin was saved by the timely intervention of Dr.Lenin’s wife, Shruti, brother and the office staffs.
It may be recalled, that a raid was conducted at Mr.Tiwari’s brick kiln and one bonded laborer, Gehru Musahar, was released and a case (No: IPC-374 Case No: 114/2002) was registered against him at the Phulpur Police Station and the case is continuing.
This above incident, is in continuation of the incident of 26th July 2003(narrated below) in which while accompanying a procession of school children belonging to Dalit families, who wanted to hand over their petition for a primary school, Dr.Lenin was manhandled, assaulted and detained by the SDM of Pindra.

MOCKERY OF SARVA SIKSHA ABHIYAN
From Manu through MacCaulay to Murali Manohar Joshi, the thumbs of Ekalblya and other Dalits have been cut and are being cut. On the one hand, the Government talks of education for all, but in reality the demands and rights of Dalits are ignored, they are punished for claiming these rights. Similarly the incident narrated below shows how the upper caste administration deliberately denies the Children of Dalits their Fundamental Right to Education.

The people of Badepur of Belwa Gram Panchayat, District Varanasi (UP), India, have been struggling for a long time against the corrupt practices of their lady Pradhan Mrs.Rajendra Tripathi and her husband Mr.Rajendra Tiwari.

On 21st February 2002, due to Rajendra Tiwari’s behaviour the backward and Dalits could not cast their vote. The people protested against this. Photo of this protest was published in the 22nd February2002 issue of local newspapers. The people also sent written complaints. On 3rd May 2002, the village community complained that the Pradhan (village head) was digging mud from the village pond for use in his brick kiln. On the 3rd of September 2002, the people complained of not having a Government Primary School and also informed that the village community was running their own community school out of their own resources. Due to the absence of proper drainage system, the area where the community school is always filled with water. This was followed by several rallies and procession. On the 8th of August 2003, the children held a Children parliament at District HQ. When nothing happened then the children decided to submit their petition on 26th August 2003, on Tehsil Day.
On the 26th of August 2002, some 250 children of SantKabir Janmitra Kendra, Badepur (Belwa) marched five km from the committee office to the Tehsil office at Pindra.On reaching there they drank water from the well. Area coordinator Vijay Bharti asked SDM for time to meet the children. The SDM summoned the children. He shouted at them as to why they were shouting slogans. The children replied that it was their right to demand food, games, education and love. The SDM then asked as to who was instigating them. To this one child Dharmendra replied that we want school and drains for our village. At this, Project Director Mr. Jai Prakash said that rights are got from the constitution. The SDM said, “I will remove your hat and beat you, then you will know what is your right” On this I came from behind and said, “you are the a father. You should not say such things. Then the SDM said Saleh, Kutta you wrote against me in bonded labor case. Today I will correct you. On this I answered that people like Bhagat Singh sacrificed them so that people like you need not implement the constitution. At this, the SDM (Pindra) said that both Bhagat Singh and this person are enemies of the society and nation. Arrest him under 151. I was taken to Phulpur Police Station at around 12am. In the meantime I informed the DM via my Mobile while the Committee ‘s Trustee, Mrs.Shruti, informed the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission by Fax of the events. Then I was broutht to the court of SDM Pindara where I was released on bail by the same SDM on the intervention of the committee’s legal advisor Advocate Tanveer.

On reaching the court of SDM (Pindra) I learnt that after my arrest the SDM Pindra Shri Muralidhar Mishra, Rajnath Singh Rajan of BJP and KANUNGO Shekhavath Ali collectively beat up our committee’s area coordinator Ms.Anupam Nagvanshi and also threatened to kill her. They also beat up the children. Ms. Anupam had given this information by telegram to the SSP and DM and got a Medico-legal done at the Shivprasad Gupta district hospital, Kabir Chaura.

The village community came to the district Headquarters, staged a peaceful demonstration in the evening of the same day and gave a petition for the DM & SSP against the whole atrocities and torture. The Magistrate Dr. A.N Singh received the petition. On 26th June 2001, the village community of Badepur gave petition to the DM regarding drainage. On this the DM gave direction to the Block Development Officer under case No: 3198. In Badepur (Belwa) with regard to the establishment of a GPS, SDI Badaganv on 24.2.03 investigated the Sant Kabir Adarsh School. On 21.3.03 BRC, Badaganv coordinator inspected the community school and wrote in the register that due to politics the children are being deprived of education. The Assistant BSA wrote in his comments to the BSA that all schools were more that one Km.Here 220 children are studying in classes1 to 5.This is clear violation of the basic right to education. Now on 23.8.03, via registered letter of PVCHR’s Programme Coordinator, SatyaNarayan Giri and Director of Savitri Ba PhuleWomen Forum, Mrs. Shruti, to the DM & BSA, that in Badaganv, Pura Raghunathpur; Sipraha, Chakravan and Anei two to three GPS are there according to population. The distance between them is only 500 metres. On the 16th of April 2003, we staged demonstration at district head office and resigned from the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded labor and also wrote against the SDM in trying to protect the employer of bonded labor in the Brick Kiln of Rajendra Tiwari. Mr.Rajendra Tiwari kept these peoples’ identity card. Even on this we complained. On Bhotu Musahar’s complaint, Gheru Musahar was released. And in Phulpur Police Station an FIR No 114/2002 was registered against the Rajendra Tiwari.But release certificate was not given to Bhothu Musahar. Geharu Musahar has not got a ration card till now. Recently his daughter died of diarrhea and starvation but nothing was done.

Today, the statement of SDM (Pindra), Muralidhar Mishra was published in local newspapers. In his statement he said that the committee was not given any information. On Tehsil Day anyone can give his or her petition without prior information. The people in the administration should know this. Also on 26.8.03 Hindustan had published the news of the Children rally. The SDM has taken out his anger by beating the women and children, abused and called Bhagat Singh and me as enemies of the society and state. Arrested me falsely. This proves that caste system has not died till now. The SDM violated Article 14 of the constitution and violated our fundamental rights. The SDM displays his caste bias by always taking the side of Rajendra Tiwari in cases of school, drainage and bonded labor. He has charged 151 on Satynaranan Giri, Jaya Prakash, Anupam and me. This is double standard and misuse of the law.

OUR DEMANDS.
1. At Village Belwa (Badepur) open a school, and drainage. Give identity card to those who do not have it and also release those cards lying with Mrs. Radhika Tripathi and her husband.
2. Investigate the bonded labour cases charges brought against Rajendra Tiwari.
3. Impeach Radhika Tiwari from her post. Her husband is behaving as the real Pradhan.
4. Remove SDM (Pindra) and make judicial enquiry on him.
5. Remove the false case against us.
6. File cases against SDM (Pindra), Kanungo Shekhawat Ali and BJP ‘s Rajnath Singh Rajan
7. Investigate the disappearance of Dhukni d/o Anita and file case against Rajendra Tiwari.
8. Rehabilitate Gahru Musahar and give release certificate to Bhothu Mushahr. Give ration card to Gehru Musahar and file cases against the village Pradhan, Secretary on the death of the daughter of Gahru Mushahr.
9. Free from encroachment the lands of Mushahar and file charges against the Pradhan.

Attacks on PVCHR:

Our’s truth have obviously been ‘ a thing contrary to the interest of men / women that have dominion’ in our society .Therefore , we have never lacked for enemies who have been busy refuting, misrepresenting & vulgarizing us over the last many years. But we have suffered equally, perhaps more, at the hands of friends -- they have brought much grist to mills of enemies through their dogmatism, scientism, economism & much else besides.

We are facing problem of caste & patriarchy based feudalism & capitalism.

We are keeping alive an ancient tradition of our ancient land to oppose inequality; exploitation- a tradition pioneered by lord Buddha,Kabeer, Mahavir, and Guru Gobind Singh. “ Buddhism raised the slogan of revolt.. The Varna (caste) system also is not permanent---- Buddha openly attacked in hundreds of his sermon- Brahamanical tyranny, the Varna system, the monarchy and inequality. When Buddha that announced his mission in life was liberating humanity from suffering it had a great social significance. All the oppressed and downtrodden- the low caste, the women, the poor, the indebted and the slaves looked upon the Buddha as a great liberator ( Y. Bala Rama Moorthy).

The abandoning of our caste background for the sake of the Dalit Community by we are reminiscent of the path and decision taken by lord Buddha 2500 years ago. We are continuing this Indian tradition of challenging Brahmanism and caste system. We have changed our lifestyle limiting to the barest and basic minimum denying ourselves the luxury and comforts so that we can devote ourselves for the cause of the Dalit community.
We have brought light in the life of more than 3500 bonded children, men and women, we have brought justice where there was none and we are showing hope to hundreds of Dalits.

We faced undermentioned problems & attacks :

1) Administration & Police: in July 1996 the Para Military Forces subjected me to severe beatings with rifle butts while leading a demonstration for land for landless..
2) In 2002 the Police, the Administration in connivance with jealous NGOs manipulated an ex-employee to steal PVCHR’s email password and used it send false dirty messages – in another vain attempt to malign us.
3) Recently we organized burning of effigy of Brahmanism on 25 Dec.,2003 ( 76th anniversary of burning of Manusmriti).Braham sabha of Varanasi announced that braham samaj will destroy to PVCHR.But no support to us from any NGOs leading by upper caste.
4) RSS people entered in our organization.They registered their own organization in Jan.,2003.They worked in our organisation up to Oct. 03. they were done to malign our organization but the conspiracy was exposed by our local committee’s people & supporters.In last, Mr. S.K. Shah gave resign.He wrote in his resigning letter that” My reason for resigning has nothing to do with the functioning of PVCHR/JMN or the behavior of my colleagues or the management of the Trust. I have no regrets and no complaints but I am very glad and satisfied that I got the opportunity to work two years in your esteemed organization. I have learnt a lot and will put them to very good use. -----------------However now, I have to leave, to join the Ram Janma Bhoomi Movement and work for the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra , in Akhand Bharat, So that the Hindu Society, can face the challenge and threat of Islamic Fundamentalism which I know will soon engulf our society.”
But our friends misrepresented & vulgarized to us in place of support during between starting & last.I was disturbed due to attacks by our friends. I talked with Dr.Mahendra Pratap , historian.He told ,”Capitalism tears up ‘all genuine bonds between men/women,’ and dissolves ‘the world of men/women into a world of atomized individuals, hostile to each other.’ It leaves ‘no other nexus between man and man (woman and woman) than naked self-interest, than callous “ cash payment-- and resolves personal wealth into exchange value.’ Every aspect of human life is commodified and the very things which were once ‘ communicated, but never sold; acquired, but never bought-- virtue. Love, conviction, knowledge,conscience,etc.--‘now become marketable and pass ‘into commerce’. The ‘divine power of money’ overturns and confounds ‘ all human and natural qualities’ in the market place…”
We would like to write a poem by a famous Hindi poet Mr. Gyanendra Pati, chairperson of People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Right--

In Golden Jubilee year of Freedom

Freedom means
Freedom to choose in market

And your choice,
Decided by those who have
Body-prowess of gadgets,
Illusion- power of advertisement

They like your freedom
Freedom to be consumer-slave

On summit of mechanical civilization
They’ve not only made computers
But your mind too, a computer
Whose software they supply
Home delivery , free,
Absolutely free,

You too, think better say “ Thanks you” Smiling
Society too, won’t beer the weight of a rebel mind

You don’t jump in the market one fine day
In these days of global market
By and by alone, the market become your world

And now the mind is handed over to the market
The delicate mind,
Shaped round like dung-cake by market Embossed with the fingerprints
The dung-cake ready to be burnt down
Like the deep dwelling ocenic fire and stomach-born(e) hunger-fire
To keep the fire burning
In the market-womb

Whose ever-consuming appetite is global market
Their shutters are ever open.

But human right defenders are fighting for another world based on justice, equality & humane sensibility.

Position on bonded labour:

India's independence from the fetters of British Colonialism has
only freed the nation politically but socially and culturally it
is still under feudal bondage.Democratization of the society needs
to be done,as the scociety hasn't been freed from the clutches of
caste system, communalism , conservative ideas and customs. The
Hindu Fundamentalism occasionally raises its fangs in this
scenerio, the dalits and advasis need to be organised and the anti
people policies affecting them the most has to be challenged
through movements. It is important and timely as the marginalised
section has to be brought in a platform where PVCHR can not only
struggle against the government 's plicies but also give a unified
face to their resistence against the Globalisation and
Liberalisation.
This has given rise to a very intresting situation where in every
village the settlement of the marginalised (Dalits etc) are
located in the South.Similarly at the Global level the Northern
Developed countries exploit the Southern world .
PVCHR thus feels that it is important to counter all forms of
marginalisation in all areas ,at every level ,at every step and in
various ways. Only such concerted drive will ensure Human Rights
.For this it is necessary to challenge the Caste System,patriarchy
and Saffronisataion while at the same time empower the
marginalised at the micro level and at the macro level the
margilisation by economic Globalisation.Thus we make a voice for
the South from the Village level to the Global level.

Nageswar was five when he began his working life as bonded labourer in the village of JOGpur in Allahabad.He became one of India's 60 million slave children.He worked in the varanasi district for his master Balla in a village called Naipur.For seven years he worked daily for12-14 hours on carpet looms.
On the day of Dussehra festival in October 1995 he helped his younger brother,cousin & some other boys to escape due to hunger & torture by master . As nageshwar & his friend Kamlesh were trying to make their escape they were caught.Kamlesh blamed Nageshwar who was locked in a room for over three weeks. on 1 Nov.,when he still had not revealed anything his mouth was tied with cloth to stop him from screaming. His hands were tied. He was tortured and branded with hot iron. When he came out of the room tears were falling down his cheeks but he was unable to speak.

On 2 November, 1995 Lenin was informed and Lenin was sent to rescue Nageshwar. Local police failed to act in arresting Balla who absconded. Lenin took Nageshwar to the hospital for a medical examination. He could only use sign language. From there he was taken to PVCHR office'. After ten days he had only spoken one word BALLA, the name of his master.

Nageshwar, barely fourteen years old, offered these words that were translated as he spoke.

"There are tears in your eyes
Why do you want to cry ?
Even if there is no rain and everywhere is dry
Even then there is hope
Our day will come
When this flower will come on the tree
So we should live in hope.

A person who knows the reality of life,
A person who knows about hardship
Only that person can lead a good life.
A person can only be called a human being if the helps others.
Only then can he be known as a person
So we should live for others.

Today, Nageshwar is living good life in his native place.

The state level tribunal on torture as part of the National People''s Tribunal on Torture was held on April 28-29 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. An eleven member jury headed by Mr. Sanker Sen, former Director General- National Human Rights Commission was constituted to conduct the proceeding. Others member of the Jury included Mr. Ashok Chakravati (former Senior Director NHRC), Ms. T.K Raja Lakshmi (Senior Assistant Editor, Frontline), Dr. John Dayal (Chairperson, All Indian Catholic Union and member National Integration Council), Mr. Chittaranjan Singh (National Secretary People's Union for Civil Liberties), Mr. K.K Rai (Senior Advocate, Allahabad Court), Mr. Ram Ashray Singh (Secretary General PUCL), Ms. Sandhya (Convener Mahila Adhikar Manch), Ms. Kum Kum (Deputy Director, Mahila Samakhya), Mr. Maheshananad Bhai (Bhumi Haqdari Morcha UP) and Ms. Padma (Convener, Stree Adhikar Sangathan (UP). People's tribunal organized by The EU-FNST-Peoples' Watch Tamil Nadu (PWTN) National Project of Preventing Torture in India and the Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR).  

There were 78 depositions of the victims of torture, abuse, custodial violence etc.

At the end of the two days public tribunal, the jury arrived at the following conclusion etc.

·        That the overwhelming majority of the victim who had encountered police torture and harassment in same form or the other belonging to the most socially and economically depressed in some form or the other belonged to the most socially and economically depressed sections of society including women and minorities.

·        That such torture appeared more prevalent in those cases where a certain amount of assertion of their rights by the victim had taken place, where the victim has questioned the method of the police.

·        That with rising consciousness among people about the language of "rights" as well as growing economic insecurity, the incident of conflicts between the police and ordinary people had increased, mainly due to absence of rule and law.

·        That almost no "human rights" institution of the state, including National and state Human Rights Commission has been effective in dispensing justice to the victims and that the devolution of the concept of rights had yet to take place at ground levels.

·        That while these institution s and Government Commissions, including Women and Child Rights Commission at the national and state level had generate a lots of expectation amongst ordinary people, that there was much disappointment among the victims as they had not received prompt and effective response they aspect from these institution.

·        That there needed to be more follow - up action by theses bodies upon the receipt of complaints.

·        That there was a need to have a time bound accessible system of providing compensation and interim relief for the victims.

·        That there should be no attempt to dilute any legislation that protected the caste and Schedule Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, which has been clearly designed to protect the interests of those people who also become victims of police torture needed to be retained in its present form.

·        That police reforms including the better representation of these classes and caste in various police forceses in the interests of the most marginalized sections is an absolute necessity. The police reforms should aim at sensitizing the police.

·        That India needed to ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture with immediate effect and legislate a comprehensive domestic anti - torture law.

·        Police reform insulting police from extraneous pressure and sensitizing the police to human rights norms and concept is an imperative need.

·        Torture in any form by the state is unacceptable in a democracy.

Lenin Raghuvanshi is convenor of PVCHR .

www.lenin-shruti.blogspot.com