Aug
27
Draft Model Law on Communal Violence
August 27, 2004 | 1 Comment
In late July, the Union Home Ministry announced that it had begun to draft a new law aimed at combating communal violence: This follows the CMP commitment for enactment of a ‘‘comprehensive law’’ against communal violence which will provide for investigations by a Central agency, prosecution by special courts and payment of uniform compensation to […]
Aug
27
Gavai Submits Affidavit on Army in 1984 Pogroms
August 27, 2004 | Comments Off on Gavai Submits Affidavit on Army in 1984 Pogroms
In his affidavit before the Nanavati Commission, also investigating the 1984 pogroms of Sikhs in India, then Lt. Gov PG Gavai blamed Rajiv Gandhi’s government for delaying the deployment of the Army, thus allowing the massacres to continue without interference: P G Gavai has blamed the Rajiv Gandhi government for the delay in calling in […]
Aug
26
Gujarat Updates: Commission and Courts
August 26, 2004 | Comments Off on Gujarat Updates: Commission and Courts
Last week, additional director general of police R B Sreekumar filed a 172-page affidavit before the Nanavati-Shah commission (investigating the 2002 Gujarat pogroms against Muslims) that demonstrates the complicity of the police with senior political party leaders in perpetrating the violence: It cites specific instances of police subversion in controlling the riots and manipulating investigations […]
Aug
17
Protests Spread Across Manipur Against Draconian Legislation
August 17, 2004 | Comments Off on Protests Spread Across Manipur Against Draconian Legislation
For the past two weeks, protestors in Manipur have raised the issue of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and human rights abuses perpetrated by security forces on civilians. The protests began after security forces killed a young woman in detention: On 11 July soldiers of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force deployed in Manipur […]
Aug
17
Gujarat Updates: Supreme Court Orders Review of 2000 Cases
August 17, 2004 | Comments Off on Gujarat Updates: Supreme Court Orders Review of 2000 Cases
The Supreme Court has ordered senior police officers to review around 2000 cases closed after the 2002 Gujarat pogroms: The court wants the police to decide whether any of the cases should be reinvestigated… In its order, the Supreme Court called for the establishment of a cell headed by a senior police official to look […]
Aug
11
Government Files Response in PC Sharma and NHRC Case
August 11, 2004 | Comments Off on Government Files Response in PC Sharma and NHRC Case
Last week, we reported that the Supreme Court directed the government of India to explain why it appointed former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) P.C. Sharma to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In its response, the government pointed out Sharma’s role in the Punjab illegal cremations matter, where the CBI’s investigation […]
Aug
11
Bilkis Case Transferred to Bombay; Other Trials Stayed and Best Bakery Delayed
August 11, 2004 | Comments Off on Bilkis Case Transferred to Bombay; Other Trials Stayed and Best Bakery Delayed
The Supreme Court has decided to move the Bilkis case outside of Gujarat. This case arises out of the gang-rape of 3 and murder of 14 family members of Bilkis Yakub Rasool during the 2002 Gujarat pogroms against Muslims. This move follows in the footsteps of the Best Bakery case, which was the first pogrom […]
Aug
11
Nanavati Commission Sets Date for Last Hearing in 1984 Investigation
August 11, 2004 | Comments Off on Nanavati Commission Sets Date for Last Hearing in 1984 Investigation
The Nanavati Commission, investigating the 1984 pogroms of Sikhs, scheduled its last hearing for August 27. Senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath (currently Commerce and Industry Minister), Jagdish Tytler (currently MP and Minister of State for NRI Affairs) and Vasant Sathe have decided not to cross-examine witnesses who deposed against them, leading to their Section 8B […]
Aug
6
Documentary on Gujarat Pogroms Banned; Update on Gujarat Proceedings before Commission
August 6, 2004 | Comments Off on Documentary on Gujarat Pogroms Banned; Update on Gujarat Proceedings before Commission
The Indian Censor Board has banned Rakesh Sharma’s documentary on the right-wing Hindu politics of hate in India, titled Final Solution: The censor board’s letter states: “The film promotes communal disharmony among Hindu and Muslim groups and presents the picture of Gujarat riots in a way that it may arouse the communal feelings and clashes […]
Aug
5
NHRC Updates: Appointment of P.C. Sharma; Poohla’s Victims
August 5, 2004 | Comments Off on NHRC Updates: Appointment of P.C. Sharma; Poohla’s Victims
The Supreme Court directed the government to explain the process it followed in making the controversial appointment of former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director P.C. Sharma to the NHRC: The court gave the direction to Solicitor General G.E. Vahanvati after it was pointed out by Rajinder Sachar, counsel for petitioner People’s Union for Civil […]