Jan
18
Indian Filmmakers Feel Sting of Censorship
January 18, 2004 | Comments Off on Indian Filmmakers Feel Sting of Censorship
Several filmmakers focusing on the Gujarat massacre of Muslims in 2002 are facing censorship difficulties in India. In order to show their documentaries to large public audiences, they must receive a certificate from the Indian censorship board. These films have also been rejected by Indian film festivals and have faced threats from Hindu extremist groups: […]
Jan
16
Kamal Nath Denies Role
January 16, 2004 | Comments Off on Kamal Nath Denies Role
Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath and fellow party member Vasant Sathe denied the charges against them in affidavits filed before the Nanavati Commission, which is investigating the pogroms organized against the Sikhs in November 1984. Nath has been accused of leading a mob that attacked Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, killing the inhabitants and burning the gurudwara. […]
Jan
16
Godhra Transfer Petition Before Supreme Court
January 16, 2004 | Comments Off on Godhra Transfer Petition Before Supreme Court
Today the Supreme Court will be facing a transfer petition, originally filed by the NHRC, on the Godhra case. The NHRC and Citizens for Justice and Peace, who have also filed an affidavit and independent petition, are calling for a transfer of the case outside of Gujarat: The basic argument of the petitioner is that, […]
Jan
15
NR Gujarati Foundation Invites Modi to US for Pride Rally
January 15, 2004 | Comments Off on NR Gujarati Foundation Invites Modi to US for Pride Rally
Gujarati Indians living in the U.S. have invited Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to lead a “pride rally” in the US, from NY to Los Angeles. They hope this rally will mimic the one he gave in 2002, as his party swept the elections despite (or because of?) its role in the massacres of Muslims […]
Jan
14
Fighting Impunity in India: Panel at WSF
January 14, 2004 | Comments Off on Fighting Impunity in India: Panel at WSF
Fighting Impunity in India: Perspectives from Victim Families and Human Rights Defenders This panel event* will bring together victim families and human rights defenders from the regions of Gujarat, Kashmir, Nagaland and Punjab. These survivors and defenders will share their experiences and findings in their fight for justice and accountability for violations perpetrated by the […]
Jan
14
High Court Criticizes “Anti-National Elements”
January 14, 2004 | Comments Off on High Court Criticizes “Anti-National Elements”
The Gujarat High Court has released its judgment explaining its dismissal of the appeal filed in the Best Bakery case. Surprisingly, the Court did not believe Zaheera’s own statement that she lied in court because she was threatened by the accused and their supporters. Instead, the Court wrote: “There seems to be a definite design […]
Jan
14
Amicus Brief by Human Rights Groups for NHRC Case
January 14, 2004 | Comments Off on Amicus Brief by Human Rights Groups for NHRC Case
The Hindustan Times today carried an article on the intervention by Harvard Law Student Advocates for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch into the Punjab illegal cremations matter proceeding before the National Human Rights Commission. The article stresses how seven years have passed and the NHRC has yet to investigate a single individual case out […]
Jan
13
NHRC Postpones Hearing With Few Hours Notice
January 13, 2004 | Comments Off on NHRC Postpones Hearing With Few Hours Notice
On the day of its scheduled hearing in the matter of illegal cremations conducted by security forces in Punjab, the National Human Rights Commission has yet again postponed the hearing. This is the third postponement since the last hearing on November 13, 2003. Read about the NHRC case and also check out updates on the […]
Jan
12
Nanavati Commission Extends Deadline for Replies
January 12, 2004 | Comments Off on Nanavati Commission Extends Deadline for Replies
The Nanavati Commission today granted more time to senior Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler, Vasant Sathe, and Kamal Nath to file their replies: While directing the three leaders to file their replies by February 16, Justice G.T. Nanavati also asked them if they wanted to recall or re-examine any witness. The Commission has also summoned two […]
Jan
12
High Court Directs Investigation into Disappearance
January 12, 2004 | Comments Off on High Court Directs Investigation into Disappearance
Ten years after an Amritsar resident disappeared at the hands of the police, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed Amritsar’s Chief Judicial Magistrate to investigate the disappearance and submit a report: In his petition against the state of Punjab and other respondents taken up by Mr Justice Nirmal Singh of the High Court, the […]