Census rewriting SC, ST narrative: shows increased material well-being

Census rewriting SC, ST narrative: shows increased material well-being

Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:47 pm (PDT)
Census rewriting SC, ST narrative....Anil Padmanabhan & Remya Nair Latest houselisting data demonstrates a visible growth in the material well-being of the two groups
New Delhi: Indians, all of them, across class and caste, traded up over the past decade, a period of rapid and record economic growth-that's the counter-intuitive message in the latest update to Census 2011.
According to the so-called houselisting data released by the census, scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) have, like the rest of the country, and allowing for some variations across regions, demonstrated a visible growth in their material well-being, especially in terms of their access to telecommunication and banking services-two key parameters to measure inclusion, or the effort to integrate the underdeveloped and underprivileged into the country's economic mainstream.
In March, the houselisting data released for the entire country showed a perceptible change in the lifestyle of the population in general, reflecting a silent but strong trend-trading up. The houselisting data collected along with the decadal census allows demographers to measure the level of the quality of life. The story that the data told was that of a rapidly expanding consumer economy.
According to the latest data release, among people belonging to SCs, access to banking services rose from about one of every four persons in 2001 to one in two in 2011; and to telephones, from three per 100 to one in two.
Similarly, for people belonging to STs, the proportion of those accessing banking services rose from a little under one in five persons in 2001 to a little under one in two in 2011; and telephones, from about two in 100 to one in three.
Interestingly, this change is seen most prominently in services that are universal in nature and which, especially in the case of telecom and banking, have seen active participation of private companies resulting in healthy competition. Such dramatic spurts are not visible with respect to other parameters such as the quality of roofing, and access to tap drinking water and electricity.
At the same time, the gap between people belonging to SCs and STs and others has narrowed. And this has coincided with the rapid political mobilization of these communities.
Narendra Jadhav, member of the Planning Commission and author of Untouchables, said the trend fits a narrative. "There is a change and there is no doubt about it. I have been saying this time and again that there is a silent revolution taking place among the SCs, if not STs. Their aspirations are taking flight; it is visible in the emergence of Dalit entrepreneurs and the trends visible in these (census) numbers. There is much greater transformation taking place than what we care to admit."
According to Jadhav, the trend also manifests itself in the broad-basing of the benefits. "I would go to the other extent and say that our long-term growth has been made possible because people who were not in the mainstream have come into it. The broad-basing of the benefits of growth has given birth to new stakeholders."
The numbers show that market-based systems can be employed to deliver certain class of services, say some experts. And that, in some instances, they work much better than government-authored welfare programmes for SCs and STs.
"It is a combination of increase in awareness levels among people as well as a push by banks to bring more people into the banking fold. Opening of bank branches in rural areas has increased awareness levels among the population. Migration and the need for people to access banking facilities to send and receive money have also played a major role in greater banking coverage," said Nachiket Mor, former chairman of the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth.
And, in some cases, progress has been brought about by co-ordinated central planning. According to M.V. Nair, former chairman and managing director of Union Bank of India, who headed a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) panel for revising the definition and structure of priority sector lending, the trend reflects the financial inclusion drive pursued by RBI in the past 10 years.
"Since 2005, there have been a number of regulations such as the business correspondent model and other technology initiatives to ensure that every household that does not have access to banking services gets a bank account," he said. "Inevitably, schedule caste and schedule tribe households did not have access to banking services, either in rural areas or in slums in urban areas, and they benefited from this financial inclusion drive."
Some analysts were however cautious in reading too much into the numbers. N.C. Saxena, member of the National Advisory Council, said that most bank accounts had been opened by wage labourers participating in the government's marquee rural employment scheme and were largely not operational.
"There has been a great development for scheduled castes, and the gap between them and the general population is narrowing, but that is not true for scheduled tribes for whom it is diverging. Eighty per cent of people belonging to scheduled tribes live in central India. The data may be coming about because people from the scheduled tribes are doing very well in Himachal Pradesh and north-east states," he said.
And a much closer reading of the data and more research will be needed before any conclusion can be reached, said S. Japhet, director of the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy and professor at National Law School in Bangalore. "The increase in telephone (penetration) cannot be very indicative of a trading-up in material well-being as it's not known how the telephone connection is being utilized; as in...does the person use it to make outgoing calls or only stick to incoming calls?"

anil.p@livemint.com
Anuja contributed to this story. URL: http://www.livemint.com/2012/06/21005650/Census-rewriting-SC-ST-narrat.html

Death of a journalist: Putting one's life on the line

Death of a journalist: Putting one's life on the line

Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:45 pm (PDT)

Putting one's life on the line....Sevanti Ninan

Because it is an increasingly lawless country and because media competition pushes those who are sent to get the story to try harder, the risks are greater than before
India can be a rough country if you are practising something other than soft journalism. Last weekend's tragic death of a gifted young photographer from malaria and resulting complications has helped to focus attention on the risks and responsibilities.
Tarun Sehrawat worked for Tehelka and his death following an assignment in Abujmarh in Chhattisgarh has had colleagues in the profession raising issues of safety on the job and institutional structures that even the English language media has not put in place. The rougher things get in India, the more those covering the news will be at risk. They are the ones at the cutting edge of both big-city and district-level corruption, Naxalism, insurgency and much else.
Because it is an increasingly lawless country and because media competition pushes those who are sent to get the story to try harder, the risks are greater than before. Sehrawat's death has drawn attention, that of a mofussil journalist in Madhya Pradesh earlier this year has not. Looking at physical attacks so far this year shows in how many ways the tribe is vulnerable.
April alone saw three assaults on journalists and two attacks on media property. A Chhattisgarh journalist was attacked for exposing illegal forest felling, Nirmal Baba's supporters attacked journalists in Delhi, and railway staff manhandled a Navbharat Times reporter in Mumbai for clicking pictures of an illegal activity. In March, lawyers attacked journalists in Bangalore and in February a journalist in Cachar district was attacked for exposing corruption in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme work. In January, Manipur journalists were on a pen-down strike to protest continuous threats by militants. How do we even begin to protect such people?
Health hazards then were the last things anybody was looking at. As both Tehelka editor Shoma Chaudhury and CNN-IBN managing editor Vinay Tewari point out, when you are sending a journalist on assignment to Chhattisgarh, it is the Naxal threat that you are briefing them on. It's only on location that they will learn that malaria is equally a hazard.
Media may be a flourishing industry, but once you begin to look closer, particularly at the armies of news gatherers in the regional media, it becomes clear that it is an unorganized and exploitative one. In a country where the bulk of small-town journalists are unlikely to get proper appointment letters, expecting health and risk protection for this category of workers is a pipe dream. The highest circulated newspaper in the country says it employs around 5,000 journalists and 7,000-odd stringers. Can the latter, who don't even get salaries, expect any kind of hazard protection?
Journalism can be a safe profession or a dangerous one depending on the kind of journalism you do. Tehelka has come in for criticism following this tragedy but Chaudhury says you have to take a call based on the reasonable risk doctrine. "Anyone pushing the line a bit on what journalism is will run a risk." Can Indian news organizations prepare their staff better? She says no Delhi editor can assess adequately the risks associated with the local terrain, but Tehelka will now look at issuing standing instructions on reporters making contact with a local doctor and local reporters. It will also look at the issue of insurance for its journalists.
In terms of equipping, insuring and briefing journalists, the gap between the first and third worlds is huge. Indian journalism in parts may be on par with the best, but news organization culture in this respect lags far behind. The BBC's high-risk policy runs into 14 pages. It has a high-risk team which can brief teams going out on hazards in different parts of the world. But, says Chaudhury, "This was not some other part of the world. This is our backyard. We thought we knew it."
The Hindu editor Siddharth Varadarajan says it's clear that Indian media will have to institutionalize safe practices of different kinds. His paper gives open-ended medical insurance, CNN-IBN says it provides bullet-proof jackets to its entire bureau in Srinagar, including outdoor broadcasting engineers and video journalists. It has insurance for all newsroom staff and a corpus to cover news staff when accidents occur. But even so, CNN International is on another planet. They had an armoured personnel carrier for their journalists in Iraq!
When the war is in your backyard and you don't have the UK or the US budgets, you do other things. Varadarajan says that when the local police made things hot for their Chhattisgarh correspondent, he had to take up the matter with the chief minister. Both he and Tewari are also clear that safety comes before risk. The latter says CNN-IBN tells reporters to eschew the romanticism of capturing a face-covered Naxal on camera, because the risk may not be worth it. But, and here's the final point, a driven reporter is often more committed to the pursuit of a story than the editor. In the interests of safety, she has to be reined in.

Sevanti Ninan is a media critic, author and editor of the media watch website thehoot.org. She examines the larger issues related to the media in a fortnightly column.

May 21st Anti-terrorism day

Anti - Terrorism Day "21st May" May 21, the death anniversary of ex-prime minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi is also observed as Anti Terrorism Day all over the country. Terrorism, the most heinous crime by the mankind against the mankind has become the biggest fear for Indians today and of course every citizen of the country is responsible for driving out this phantom of fear. Fighting against this crime has become the moral duty of every India.
At the same time whole nation mourn two minutes of silence to mark solidarity with the world in its fight against terrorism and of course memorize Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the ex prime minister of the country who’s lost to the country was also the result of this intimidating menace called TERRORISM.
Anti Terrorism Day is observed every year on May 21 to promote peace and harmony in the nation. Different committees across the country organize various seminars on drive to create awareness about the danger caused by this unmerciful act of terrorism. The main aim of observing Anti Terrorism Day is to wean away the Indian youth from such dreadful forces threatening human lives.

Even anti-terrorism or anti-violence pledge is also taken in all the government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions. There is also need of more serious thoughts on the observance of Anti Terrorism Day and in order to successfully accomplish the aim of Anti Terrorism Day.

Irene Sendler-There ain't no one like her, She is the real superwoman-

Interesting story, as so many of these were of the amazing strength and daring many people went through to help others! REMEMBER THIS WOMAN!!! Look at this woman - Let us never forget!

Irena Sendler Died 12 May 2008 (aged 98) Warsaw, Poland During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto, as a plumbing/sewer specialist. She had an 'ulterior motive'. She KNEW what the Nazis' plans were for the Jews (being German). Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger children). She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the infants' noises. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 children/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents who may have survived it and to re-unite the families. Most had been gassed. Those children she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted. Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected. President Obama won one year before becoming President for his work as a community organizer for ACORN and Al Gore won also --- for a slide show on Global Warming. In MEMORIAM - 63 YEARS LATER We're doing our small part by forwarding this message. I hope you'll consider doing the same... It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated! Now, more than ever, with Iran and others, claiming the HOLOCAUST to be 'a myth'. It's imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again. This e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide! Join us and be a link in the memorial chain and help us distribute it around the world. Please send this e-mail to people you know and ask them to continue the memorial chain. Please don't just delete it. It will only take you a minute to pass this along...

Christian Council condemns Saudi Grand Mufti Call For Destruction Of Churches In West Asia

Christian Council condemns Saudi Grand Mufti Call For Destruction Of Churches In West Asia

Joseph D’souza, President, All India Christian Council Dr John Dayal, Secretary General, All India Christian Council For further detail, please contact Dr. John Dayal +919811021072 New Delhi, March 30, 2012
The All India Christian Council has condemned the call by Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah that it is “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.” Christian Council President Dr Joseph D’ Souza, said the Mufti’s controversial statement placed Christian churches throughout the Arabian peninsula in jeopardy and could have repercussions for religious minorities in other countries. Council secretary General Dr John Dayal called upon the government of India and other civilised countries to use their good offices to ensure that the nations in the Arabian peninsula rebuffed the Wahabi Imam’s bigoted statement, and assured the safety and security of churches in the Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Christianity is already forbidden in Saudi Arabia which has no churches. West Asian media had reported the controversial statement in the context of another statement by a Kuwaiti member of parliament who reportedly called for the ‘removal’ of churches in his country. Legislation was also recently introduced in Kuwait’s parliament that would mandate the removal of Christian churches from the country and impose strict Shariah laws. Kuwait has later clarified the legislation would not remove the churches, but prohibit further construction of Christian churches and non-Muslim places of worship in the country. The Saudi Grand Mufti emphasized that because Kuwait is part of the Arabian Peninsula, it would be necessary to destroy all churches in the country. There are a large number of Christians living in Saudi Arabia and the other countries of the Arabian gulf, many of them from India and the Philippines, with their population estimated at over 3.5 million, over 800,000 of them in Saudi Arabia alone. The All India Christian Council has been following developments in the region with growing alarm and concern as Christians continue to be coerced and harassed at various times. It is particularly disturbing because India has a large number of its citizens, mostly labour but also businessmen, engineers and medical personnel, in the region. A large number of migrant from the states of South India are Christians.
The All India Christian Council said the Mufti’s statement flew in the face of the United Nations Charter and the UN Declaration On The Elimination Of All Forms Of Intolerance And Of Discrimination Based On Religion Or Belief. The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

Reaction to the Union Budget 2012-13

Reaction to Union Budget 2012-13
Lack Lustre Budget says Mr. Vijay Kalantri Vice Chairman – World Trade Centre Mumbai (WTC) President – All India Association of Industries (AIAI)
World Trade Centre Mumbai (WTC) and All India Association of Industries (AIAI) welcome the decision to implement Goods and Service Tax (GST) from August 2012 which will simplify and rationalize the tax structure. We further welcomes the much needed increase in viability gap funding for the infrastructure sectors like roads, port. Power and further inclusion of Oil and Gas and Tank farm will boost the growth of the Infra sector.
WTC & AIAI welcomes the introduction of much needed Mutual fund for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector to tune of Rs. 5,000 Crores which will meet the need for seed capital of this vibrant sector, even the Excise exemption limit should have been increased in view of inflation.
The allowing of External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) for sector like Aviation and low cost housing introduction of doubling the amount of tax free bonds for infrastructure sector such as Ports, Power, and Road etc will give the much needed impetus to achieve over 7% of GDP growth.
However increase in the Excise duties and Service Tax by 2% will adversely impact the automobile, engineering and manufacturing industry and various provision and alteration made in rules of Service Tax, Excise and Customs duty will make the procedure more cumbersome for the assesses and increase harassment.
The Hon’ble Finance Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee should have initiated measures and incentives to boost the infrastructure related industries. However the Budget will add to the inflationary trend and in turn could have a ascending effect on the economic/manufacturing growth.
AIAI feels that the negative list on the Service Tax may be re-looked into. The fiscal deficiency of 5.1% is matter of concern and various leakages in regard with subsidies and popular schemes need to be implemented transparently to avoid further increase of fiscal deficit and misuse of schemes.

ISAT Press Release, March 15, 2012

ISAT Press Release, March 15, 2012 “ISAT” International Sports Academy Trust - (an integral youth preparation) Football Development Program Subj. Answers to the Accusations of JKFA from November 2011 After the press conference of ISAT where was announced the sending of six kashmiries to Brazil and the JKFA react to the Minister of Sports Mr. R.S. Chib and start to relies accusation and abused about ISAT and Marcos work in J&K, we decide to wait for the reconsideration of such accusations and decision for the past 3 and half month. But seen that nothing have change and most over steps of discrimination and prohibiting ISAT Programs to be run in any District of J&K we have decide to announce our defense before take any last decision about the permanence of this international and professional football program in J&K. Even so ISAT as a Professional Football Development Program has much more to gives to the youth of J&K and we are at disposition of the Authorities to work in collaboration and in totally armory as we had done for the past 5 years with JKFA. 1. In the letter of JKFA to AIFF against Mr. Marcos they mention the follow accusations points. • Marcos claiming to be football coach / himself as a Director of ISAT. • Confine his coaching to boys of his area – Wanbal, Coaching only to who opted for ISAT. • Open Unites by luring Officials and seniors football players. • Marcos had created chaotic situation since he came to Kashmir. • Make tournaments and others activities beyond his mandate. • Using media influence. Just to gain media attention sent youth to Brazil. • Have triggered resentment among 20 thousands footballers, who are genuine affiliated with the JKFA. • Got youth detained at various police stations by Marcos complained to the Police. • Interfering in the internal work of JKFA by sending boys abroad without the permission of JKFA and organize unregistered tournaments in the Valley is cut Violation of the Constitution. a. Players have no background; b. Returned after 3 and half month; c. Not become part of any Academy even not receives particular coaching; d. Six boys to Brazil that came back after 1 week or ten days; e. Selection only sports council and JKFA can do it. • Ask for his financial resources, he didn’t respond. • Hold events for which the founding agency isn’t know, we left with no genuine option than disaffiliated him from our activities. • Marcos has failed to produce any good footballer. • We had accepted Marco’s voluntary services for a specified tenure, which has already passed. • Communal hatred against him. Close Marcos programs and Clubs to maintain discipline. • ISAT management shall not be permitted to organize football & football related activities. • No government recognized body would allow anyone to hold events for with the funding agencies aren’t known – can be against the interest of the Nation. • Just in one meeting all members of JKFA unanimously decide to close three official registered Clubs and an organization working completely under the law and norms of the state and register in central government. 2. Answers from ISAT a. Accusation against our license, an official organization registered and recognized by government cannot be closed by local Football Association, when have the approval of all government office to work and stay in full activities in the state just for professional insecurity and for never prove such quantity and quality of Professionalism. I’m Juan Marcos Troia, Argentinean and graduated Professional and International Football Coach, affiliated to the Syndicate of Professional Football Coaches of Sao Paulo State in Brazil (SITREPFESP) for more than 10 years, recognized by University of Ibirapuera, the Secretariat of Sports of Sao Paulo State, Sao Paulo Football Federation (FPF), Brazilian Football Federation (CBF), Ministry of Sports of Brazil and Certify FIFA Coach, I have been coaching in Delhi in the past and now in J&K. I'm in India since 2002 under ISAT (International Sports Academy Trust) “Football Development Program”, and we are registered since 2003 in New Delhi, from that time I had been working in the promotion of Football. Till 2006, I had worked in Delhi in different places and at the last I was coaching in DDA Sports Complex of Sarita Vihar and Jamia Milia Islamia University football field. My wife Priscila Barros Pedroso, Brazilian, had worked in the linguistic and cultural field in Brazilian Embassy and Jamia Milia Islamia University as a lecture of Portuguese Language, today she is also graduated Professional Football Coach by SITREPFESP in Brazil and Co-Founder of ISAT (International Sports Academy Trust), She is working in the Marketing and Communication at the same. We had been sent to India in 2002 as commercial representatives of Sports Network International, from Brazil for sports matters in India. And in 2005 the Club America from Brazil approaches me (Juan Marcos Troia) as a permanent representative for the club in India. International Sports Academy Trust (ISAT), registered on 8th October 2003 at New Delhi, registration No. 8,730 in Book no. 4 vol No. 2,006 (see trust deed of ISAT) ISAT “An integral Youth Preparation”, is a sports entity which includes the main physical disciplines registered and professionally recognized by the Government of India for the last 10 ten years. ISAT has as objective to provide an integral assistance in education way to help in a professional future. We invite professionals in sports, health, nutrition, communication and administration to work with us. We also work in collaboration with sports companies, professionals clubs, nationals and state association, federations, sports syndicates, schools and athletes. This means that we want to be a bridge between Latin America, India and Asia. b. Three registered Clubs cannot be banned for life without a proper way, with probes, just making allegations and spread rumors they should present the arguments and give the opportunity for appeal for defense otherwise is dictatorship, this is totally arbitrary and unconstitutional that the three clubs will bring insecurity and instability to 497 others clubs in Kashmir. JKFA doesn’t have right to close ISAT program by saying that they don’t need it any more so we should go. c. They had mentioned that my contract had already concluded, when the truth is that still is one year and one month more before reach to the end till December 2012. d. Regards Official Cultural and Sports interchange program • The selected boys were the best of Kashmir at the time to be selected. • They had joined Professional Football Club in Sao Paulo and Rio the Janeiro in Brazil • The two first Kashmiries left India on 25th March 2010 and return back on 1st February 2011 • The second group of six Kashmiries left India on 14th November 2011 and return on 15th December 2011 and they got official certificate from Ministry of Sports of Brazil and the Sao Paulo Football Federation as a Professional Football Coaches. The only reason for such accusations maybe can be the ignorance for who never went abroad who knows that through the passports you can got the dates from where you go and came and for the 2 boys specific which went for a one year of training program they have got for their fulfill documentation the resident card in Brazil. e. ISAT is an official organization and has two registered clubs in AIFF for international transferences that a club at this level is legible to transfer, send and receive professionals, coaches, trainers, players etc. from anywhere and to anywhere, when the contracts, visas and government permissions from both countries involved had been token for such activities. f. The documentation filed by Marcos to JKSC, SSP Srinagar, DC, Srinagar and AIFF proves that. • Nobody had been detained at various police stations. • Marcos had created chaotic situation – How he can created insecurity when he was himself facing insecurity issues, when boys have been removed from several Police station under ISAT responsibilities. • Tournaments, sports activities and Cultural and Sports interchange program had been welcome by every government authority even JKFA, and every each event organized and sponsored by ISAT were in collaboration and approval of JKFA. • My financials resources and others activities are the concern of CID and NFRO that take care to investigate and monitored the activities of the foreigners to grant or not their stay by extend their visas • All Winter Tournaments Organize and sponsored by ISAT was sponsored from the same founds mentioned above. • We had filed many document proving the success not only of some players but two entire teams that were showed the performance by been champions and get promoted every year. But even so 14 fourteen players had emerged from our Academies and Club List of the Players. 1. Sheikh Umer Jan -from District Ganderbal - to ISAT FC from ISAT to JK Bank (Super-Div.) 2. Ayman Rashid - from ISAT to JK Bank (Super-Div.) 3. Sameer Khan - from ISAT to JK PDC (Super-Div.) 4. Sahil Nabi Bhat - from ISAT FC to JK PDC (Super-Div.) 5. Ozair Farooq - from ISAT FC to JK PDC (Super-Div.) 6. Ubaid Haroon - from ISAT FC to JK Forest (Super-Div.) 7. Liyakat Ahmed - from ISAT Academy to JK PDC (Super-Div.) 8. Tahir Bhat - from ISAT FC to JK F&S (Super-Div.) 9. Arshid Ayoub - from ISAT FC to Maharaja FC (Super-Div.) 10. Ahmad Lone - from ISAT FC to Maharaja FC (Super-Div.) 11. Mohad. Fasil - from ISAT FC “C” to JK Police “B” (Super- Div.) 12. Basit Ahmed - from ISAT FC “C” to Young Maharaja (Super – Div.) 13. Sohail Ah. - from ISAT FC “C” to Young Lalchock (A- Div.) 14. Abrar Ah. - from ISAT FC “C” to Young Lalchok (A-Div.) JKFA said that we had not provide one player, we had worked from April 2007 to November 2011, when we got the ban and in 2010 full season was compromised because of unrest where 110 youth were killed only in one summer, even so we can said that in only less than 4 years we produces this a. 14 players in among others that had come and go from our programs b. Three winter tournaments in 3 years in 5 Districts, 100 teams, 1000 players c. ISAT Teams 1 Super Division Team (Srinagar) 1 “A” Division Team (Srinagar) 1 “B” Division Teams (Srinagar) 1 “B” Division Team (Budgam) 1 “B” Division Team (Ganderbal) 1 “B” Division Team (Bandipora) Team (Gurez) 6 teams U-14 Division in all Districts 6 teams U-17 Division in all Districts d. ISAT Academies in J&K 1. Srinagar Central 2. Budgam ( a.Gopal Pora, b. Nagam, c. Danger Pora) 3. Nowgam (a. By Pass b. Kenhema (Rail Way Station) 4. Raniwary ( working without inauguration) 5. Ganderbal 6. Bandipora 7. Gurez (LOC) (a. Dawar, d. Izmar) 8. Pulwama, Pampore. (working without Inauguration) e. ISAT had participated near about 50 football events from Jan 2011 to September 2011with our (ISAT) 20 teams Organized by different Authorities 1. JK Football Association 2. Sports Council and Youth Services Participation. 3. District Football Associations (Pulwama, Anatnag, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal) 4. J&K Police 5. CRPF 6. Army 7. Collages (SP Collage) 8. Privates Clubs 9. ISAT Winter 7-A side Football Tournaments in all Districts. 10. Turun Dull – Calcutta f. Communal hatred against me and unanimously JKFA decide to close three official registered Clubs of ISAT. At the light of the documents is easy to identify where the lie is and those who are violating the rules. FIFA Statute Article No. 3 Non –Discrimination and stance against racism. Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic Origen, gender, language, religion politics or any other reason, is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion. This is completely an arbitrary decision, and I as Director and founder of ISAT and Professional Football Coach, affiliated to an official Syndicate, recognize by FIFA I request and demand from the authorities, been police officer, been from civil administration or even from others members of JKFA and AIFFA,. To take actions a not leave the responsible with their lie, permitting the destruction of five years of hard work, investment and dedication, just to fulfill somebody personal selfish interest. I’m Juan Marcos Troia Director and Founder of ISAT declares that the information above have the documentation support from each topic explained.

Mr. Mangi - The Innovator of Kakching Mat Weaving Machine, An Interview

Mr. Mangi - The Innovator of Kakching Mat Weaving Machine

By Madhu Chandra

March 10, 2012

The National Innovation Foundation – India honoured Mr. Yengkhom Mangi Singh, a Dalit belong to Lois community of Kakching, Manipur, a 70 years old physically challenged, with the state award for his innovative in manufacturing Kouna Mat Weaving Machine at sixth National Grassroots Innovation Award ceremony and exhibition held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on March 9. Smt. Pratibha Patil, the President of India distributed to awards to 15 National and Life time achievers and inaugurated five days exhibition. Over hundred innovators from all over the country took part in the award distribution ceremony and displayed their innovative products in the exhibition. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2979163.ece?homepage=true&css=print

What struck me the most about the grassroots level innovation is Mr. Mangi himself - physically challenged, 70% disability suffered from paraplegia at the age of 14, a husband of a mentally challenged wife, a father of three sons – two mentally challenged, yet a man who become one of hundreds and thousands of innovator that the nation has recognised.

Mr. Mangi received award of Rs. 50,000 from Nation Innovation Foundation – India honouring his lifetime achievement. He wants to invest this amount to develop into move advanced machine.

He used managed walking by limping though the help of a bamboo stick all these years, until he was gifted a wheel chair by Students from Kakching studying in Delhi when he attended a National Grassroots Innovation exhibition in New Delhi last year. He still faces the challenged as the wheel chair he has now depends on another person to push him around. He will perhaps become more independent on his innovative if he has one automatic wheel chair.

His achievement of innovation would have remained in a corner of his home without the initiative of Mr. Surjit Kshetriymayum, the secretary of Alliance for Development Alternatives- Manipur (ADAM), Kakching, Manipur.

Madhu Chandra, Spokesperson of North East Support Centre & Helpline and Regional Co-ordinator of GS/OM India Ministry for North East India branch, interviewed Mr. Mangi after he received State Award.

Madhu Chandra: What is Kakching Mat Weaving Machine?

Mangi: Kakching Mat Weaving Machine is made of wood, a kind of handloom to make Kouna and Chumthang Phak (Mat). Kouna or Chumthang Phak is a must-have household item in every Manipuri home. The Kouna and Chumthang phak is eco friendly production.

What is Kouna Mat?

Kouna (local name) is a class of water reed, a firm stemmed water or marsh plant grown perennially in the wetlands of the valley areas of the Manipur. Manipuri traditional mat is also made by another material known as Chumthang, which is also a classic reed grown in dry land. Kouna is soft, stems are bigger while Chumthang is harder and smaller stems.

How Did You Become Physically Challenged?

I suffered paraplegia at the age of 14, which has caused 70% disability of my body. I used to walk limping with a bamboo stick until last year I got wheel chair after attending the National Grassroots Innovative Exhibition in New Delhi. Now I am wheel chair, but I cannot function myself without another person helps me.

What is Your Family Looks Like?

I got married to Maipakpi Devi at the age of 30 as physically challenged man. Unfortunately my wife has become mentally challenged after we got married. I have three sons; one is married, living with his family. Two of my sons are also mentally challenged. They are living with me. It is a huge challenge for me to manage and maintain the need of my family as physically challenged person.

What Innovates You to Make Kouna Mat Weaving Machine?

From my childhood, I used to be interested in making any creativity items such as electrical work etc. I learned to repair radio, electric stabilisers, car battery chargers my own without any formal training. I used to earn my family livelihood from these works and it was not enough to run the cost of the family.

Twenty years ago, I realised that the Kouna Phak is the household items of Manipur, which are made by normal men. I had an innovative idea of making a wooden mat-weaving machine similar to handlooms, which are used by women in Manipur to weave clothes. I wanted to make such a mat-weaving machine that a disable person like me, can also used.

I could not sleep for three months when I was thinking of making the machine. I never gave up the idea and begun manufacturing in early 1992. Within a month I completed making one wooden Kouna Phak Weaving machine, it was one feet high, five feet length, and four feet breadth. I have been using it for last twenty years until I developed the advanced model recently.

What Advantages with Mat Weaving Machine Compare to Traditional one?

The traditional is suitable only for normal people, not for people like me. The traditional mat weaving machine, which is stretch on floor, limited with size, occupied more space, you need to bend you head down, which hurts your back, it was not possible for me. It takes minimum two weeks to make one mat with traditional model. Now with the mat weaving machine, which I have developed, can make two mats in a day.

What were the Challenges You Faced While Making Kouna Mat Weaving Machine?

My family was the biggest challenge in my life. My wife and my two sons were completely dependent on me. My eldest son got married and lives with his family separately. I did not have any single person to motivate, I was alone as a source of motivation for the innovating in making the mat weaving machine. In spite of constant demand to earn more money on regular basis to maintain my family needs, I never gave up my innovation to make Kouna mat weaving machine.

Why Does It Take So Long for People to Know about Your Innovative Machine?

The machine I made twenty years ago was kept just in a corner of my house, which nobody knew except those who came to purchase the Kouna mat. It came to know to the public of Manipur when my machine was introduced to handicraft exhibition in Manipur through the help of Mr. Surjit Kshetrimayum, the secretary of Alliance for Development Alternatives – Manipur (ADAM) two year ago. Then it was also displayed at National Grassroots Innovation Exhibition organised by National Innovation Foundation – India at New Delhi, the month of March 2010, where the President of India witnessed for the first time.

What Is Your Vision?

I have three visions: One is to develop more advanced machine, so that the weaving can be faster and produce more products. I have some innovative idea for developing them. I hope in next few months, I will be able to develop it.

Secondly, I want to manufacture more this machine, so that it can be sold at reasonable price for traditional mat weavers. This will help them to make more mats with less effort and faster.

Thirdly, the Mat Weaving Machine can be further developed to weave carpets and other weaving items.

Who Much the Machine Cost?

The present model is sold at Rs 15,000 each. This machine can produced two Kouna mats and one Chumthang mat in a day. One Kouna mat cost Rs 350 and Chumthang Rs 600. This is suitable for semi skill and home based business.

What is Your Biggest Need?

I am in need of an automatic battery run wheel chair so that my movement can be operated myself. This will enable me to move around without help of another person so that my innovative could be passed on to others.

What Message Do You Want to Give to the People of Manipur?

Your innovative idea does not limit by whatever, whoever and wherever you are. Never give you what ignites you. Manipur needs people who are innovative, particularly for the purpose of self employment, where the lack of employment under Government schemes.

The irony of Women's day in India

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission

INDIA: WOMEN'S DAY -- Rhetoric guarantees no equality Today, the world's largest democracy along with the rest of the world would celebrate international women's day. The media will reproduce public statements and the promises made. Institutions like the National Commission for Women would reiterate its mandate to protect, promote and guarantee women's rights and thus ensure gender equality in the country. The President Her Excellency Pratibha Patil, would address the nation on the topic. Perhaps union and state ministers would follow and the governments would advertise in the media enumerating what they have done to ensure gender parity. The debt-ridden and limping with corruption national carrier, Air India, would takeoff from Mumbai and New Delhi to distant destinations with a complete women crew, as a showcase of what the women in India have achieved and are now capable of. (Photo: Girl scavenging at Belagachia dumping ground in Kolkata. Courtesy: Nick Cheesman, AHRC) For most of India however, it would be an uneventful day. Women in Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir would continue fearing the uniformed officers deputed to protect them; most mothers living in the rural backdrops of the country would continue to worry how to feed their children and when their family would be saved from the slow and certain death from starvation and malnutrition; girls and women would continue to be raped in hundreds at Budhwar Peth, G. B. Road, Kamathipura, Shivdaspur and Sonagachi; girls will continue working as bonded child labourers across the country - in the rat mines of Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, in middleclass houses in cities like New Delhi and in the granite quarries and paper cracker manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu; and Dalit women will continue sweeping open sewers and clean dry latrines. Equality is one of the fundamental quotients to guarantee gender rights. It is one of the foundation stones of all rights. Unfortunately in India, equality - legal or cultural - is not the norm. In a country where its justice apparatus is in a dysfunctional state where manipulation is possible at all levels, rights - gender included - do not make any sense. A right that cannot be sought and realized, translated into quantifiable and achievable guarantees in life is no right at all. Engendering equality is impossible without the architecture of justice. Today, the country's justice machinery, particularly the police, prosecution and the judiciary are a far cry of what such institutions ought to be in a democratic framework. So much so, getting posted at what is called a 'women's cell' in the police is considered to be punishment since the possibilities of demanding and accepting bribes is the least in such positions. Not because that the parties who approach the women's cell would not pay bribe. It is because there is hardly any complaint at all. Approaching the police by a woman is considered to be a life-threatening affair in India. Police stations, yes that very institution maintained by the public exchequer to assist a citizen to seek and obtain her right is one of the unsafe places in the country to be. Perhaps veteran women's rights activists in the country would agree with this conclusion. Yet there is hardly any concern about this in India. The gender rights movement that has lobbied and worked to bring about commendable legislative changes in the country with a view to ensure gender parity has avoided debating about the despicable nature of the justice institutions. They have however taken law unto their own hands, though on occasions. The so-called mainstream gender rights movement in the country has ignored the singular and unique protest of Ms. Irom Chanu Sharmila of Manipur. For the past 11 years, Sharmila's fight to ensure equality has found hardly any assuring resonance from the equal rights activists of the country. One cannot find fault with those who allege that for the majority of the equal rights activists in the country, equality is interpreted as an analogous continuum of racial and regional discrimination practiced for the past 64 years against the people of the northeast. Those who speak about Elizabeth Smith Miller and Lucy Stone in India would not even know who Sharmila is and what she is protesting against. In countries where equality is protected and cherished as a norm gender based discrimination is today considered an exception. In a country like India where inequality is the norm - read caste based discrimination as one example - gender rights speak is mere empty rhetoric. Rhetoric though would assure no rights. Read this statement online
---------- For information and comments contact: In Hong Kong: Bijo Francis Telephone: +852 - 26986339 Email: india@ahrc.asia, southasia@ahrc.asia # # # About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984. Visit our new website with more features at www.humanrights.asia.

A plea from tortured christians regarding violation of human rights in Kashmir

INTERNATIONAL SOS – PRESS CONFERENCE ON KASHMIR PRESS INVITE – REQUESTING COVERAGE
The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF), a Mumbai based national activist community NGO, needs your urgent support in highlighting the gross violation of human rights and abuse of Indian Constitutional Freedoms, in Jammu & Kashmir.
Christians, after the Kashmiri Pundits, are facing acute persecution and torture in this state bordering Pakistan, where Only “Islamic” Radicalism thrives. Kashmir is now almost 100 % “Muslim” with all other religious communities (Hindus, Sikhs and now Christians), being forced out of the valley.
It is not possible for security reasons to hold a media meet there. Hence, The CSF has brought human rights activists to address you or a correspondent, you depute at an International Press Conference :
After Pundits, its Christians: Religious Cleansing & Persecution in Kashmir
Venue: The Press Club, Mumbai Date: 25th February, 2012, Saturday Time: 2.30 pm
Speakers: · Justice Michael Saldanha (Retd. Karnataka & Bombay High Courts) · Adv. Iftikhar Bazmi (Poonch Bar Assn Sec., J&K; India Rep, ICRD, Washington DC) · Joseph Dias (The CSF Fact-Finding Report from J&K for the Victims) · Human Rights & Religious Liberty Activists
The media is our only hope to highlight this issue, particularly since the Government has adopted total neglect. Hence, we would greatly appreciate, your coverage, which will save many more lives from being ruined, in addition to those who are already bearing the brunt of torture.

One rape case every 14 hours-in our national capital Delhi

The violence against women in Delhi, the national capital of India reported daily in national papers panics me.
2010 records of one rape case every 14 hours, molestation every 18 hours.
The rape case increased 12 times more in 2011, which means one rape case every 15 hours.
Among these crimes, the girls and women from North East India became easy target.
Madhu Chandra www.nehelpline.net
Publication: The Times Of India Delhi;
Date: Feb 11, 2012;
Section: Front Page;
Page: 1
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CRIMINALS ON PROWL IN MOVING VEHICLES
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
In two days, 2 minors forced into cars, raped
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: The capital’s notorious mode of assault on women — rape or molestation in a moving vehicle — returned to shame the city, with two incidents reported in the past 48 hours. Both victims were minors. In the first incident, a 13-year-old girl was forced into a Santro car allegedly by three youths, including a minor, in Jyoti Nagar, northeast Delhi, on Thursday afternoon and raped by one of them after she snubbed their moves to strike a friendship with her. “The victim, a class VIII student who had stepped out to the market around 2.30pm when she was abducted, reported the crime to a policeman on the road. All three accused have since been nabbed,” said additional DCP (northeast) B K Singh. The second crime followed a similar pattern. A 16-yearold girl who had left home to buy milk around 7.30pm on Friday was allegedly abducted by two men and raped in a moving car in the Kanjhawala area of northwest Delhi. The accused pushed her into their Wagon R and drove around in the neighbourhood for three to four hours, taking turns to rape the victim, police said. Rape cases in the capital rose by 12% to 568 in 2011, as compared to 507 in 2010. Four youths drive away with 18-yr-old Dwaipayan Ghosh TNN
New Delhi: An 18-year-old data operator in a Gurgaon firm, who was walking home with three other girls after getting off a bus at Qutab Vihar near Dwarka, was allegedly dragged into an Indica car and taken away by unidentified persons late Thursday evening. The accused stopped their car near the girls around 8.30pm and chased them into the fields, police said. All four girls as well as a passerby who tried to intervene were beaten up before the victim was put into the car. Eyewitness Yudhvir Singh Rawat claimed the accused, four in number, were in a red car that did not have a registration plate. “The girls were alarmed when the men began following them. They tried to run towards the fields but the men outran them and punched them on their faces. They then began dragging them towards the car. They finally managed to push the 18-year-old into the car and escape.” Rawat said it was strange that the police were trying to probe an elopement angle in the case when all girls had been beaten up. Hundreds of angry residents hit the roads protesting against police “inaction” in not registering a case. Girl abducted, gangraped in moving car Captors Zipped Past Pickets
New Delhi: A 16-year-old girl was abducted by two men and raped in a moving car in Kanjhawala area of northwest Delhi on Friday.
The accused pushed the girl into a Wagon R and drove around the neighbourhood even as they took turns to rape her, police said. The accused, Amit and Manoj, have been held. Shockingly, the car zoomed past scores of pickets and police barricades, but was not stopped even once. After four agonizing hours, the girl was finally dumped by the wayside. Battered and bruised, she got up and staggered home in the dead of night. That the car skirted detection at several barricades raises serious questions about the efficacy of the police force.
The girl was abducted around 7.30pm after she left home to buy milk. She told police that when she headed towards a shop near Utsav Vihar, a car screeched to a halt in front of her. One of the occupants of the car pulled her inside and tried to gag her, police said. The girl told police that one of the accused was her brother-in-law’s friend who had earlier visited home. Surprisingly, the car circled around the Outer Delhi areas of Mangolpuri, Narela, Kanjhawala and Bawana areas without a single chase by a PCR van. Around 11.30pm, the accused dumped the girl near the forests of Kanjhawala and fled. The girl managed to reach home and told her parents about the incident. The shocked parents then approached the police for help.
“We lodged a case and began investigations. The victim’s medical examination has confirmed rape. We were able to arrest the accused after raids on their hideout. One of the accused was known to the victim. They have been produced in court,” a senior police officer said. The girl, a school dropout, lives with her parents and three sisters in Kanjhawala area. One of the accused, Amit is a transporter while Manoj is a driver. Police are verifying their antecedents and sources said they have a criminal past. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=CAP/2012/02/11/1/Img/Pc0011600.jpg
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Christians fleeing Kashmir- a preliminary report on religious cleansing by CSF

Christians fleeing from persecution in Kashmir Preliminary Observations on Reported Religious Cleansing Noon, 6th February, 2012, Media Conference, Press Club, Jammu by Joseph Dias, +91 9769555657, General Secretary, The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF) * Adv. Iftikhar Bazmi +91 9419309189 India Representative, Intl Centre for Religion & Diplomacy, Washington DC * Dr. Agnishekhar +91 9419100035 Convenor, Panun Kashmir * Mr. H. S. Rana +91 9419150912 & Other Senior Sikh Representatives * Mr. Nichodemus, president, J & K Christian United Federation * Mr. Lal Gill, president, J & K Catholic Sabha These are impressions gathered by Joseph Dias, general secretary of the Mumbai-based activist community NGO – The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF) – who has been in J & K since 3rd February, 2012 and been in touch with prominent civil society representatives, besides Christian community leaders and victims from all denominations – Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, etc. This report could be endorsed by some of them, whose names are mentioned at the end of this report. At the outset, to prevent mis-representation, one would like to state that we respect Islam as a world religion and hold Muslims in high esteem. These observations relate specifically to communalists, who in the name of religion are causing religious discord among communities. The issue clearly is one of basic human rights violations and Indian Constitutional freedoms of citizens of the country. Fundamentalists Target Christians in Kashmir Christians and secular-minded citizens are alarmed at reports emanating from Kashmir, in the aftermath of what is being called a fatwa, reportedly by the "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet" against Christian clergy - Rev. CM Khanna, Rev. Gayoor Massih and Father Jim Borst, Catholic Mill Hill Missionary, besides other Christians and their families. In danger are the lives and property of dozens of Christians, who have fled the Kashmir valley and are living as refugees in Jammu and other parts of the country. At risk are also the institutions – educational and social service agencies – and the work these do, irrespective of any distinctions. But most important, is the impending danger of the annihilation of Christians and the community's presence in the Kashmir valley, which is centuries’ old. Even as many neo-converts are fleeing the hostile neighbour, local communalists, fundamentalist courts, extremists/terrorists, police and local administration, seemingly paralyzed judicial system, etc. The moot question is - To whom does the Kashmir Valley Christian go to for survival? The CSF Urgent Recommendations 1. The union & state governments must ensures the safety of Rev. CM Khanna, Fr. Jim Borst, missionaries and dozen converted families, whose lives and property are in danger. All secular-minded citizens feel that there is grave threat and Christians live in fear and constant danger. 2. The “Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet in J & K”, is an extra-constitutional authority, with no legal sanction and Fatwas or complaints by / against believers of any faiths is unhealthy for secularism & is to be avoided. The communal harmony and rule of law needs to be restored. 3. Efforts must be made to stop the rumor-mongering and baseless allegations, being made in Kashmir and stereotyping / profiling the Christian community, as converting with allurements, such as providing neo-converts with money, alcohol, women, passports, immoral lifestyle, etc. 4. The civil society, human rights activists, mass media and patriots must rise to the occasion and express solidarity with the Christians in Kashmir and ensure that their constitutional rights and freedoms are safeguarded – as in such a hostile environment, they are defenceless. 5. The police under pressure from the "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet", has registered false cases trumped-up under sections 153A and 295A, for spreading hatred between communities, etc. These cases have been forged upon the missionaries and Christians without a shred of evidence. We therefore urge that they be squashed by the government. 6. The state government needs to consider extending the National Minorities Commission Act and other such human rights and Indian Constitutional safeguards legislation or enact such laws for application in J & K, to ensure that the fundamental guarantees to citizens are available, as available in all other parts of the country. Chilling reports from Jammu & Kashmir valley - Christians flee & reduced to less than half We express our collective shock and serious concern at the concerted hate campaign against Christians in the Kashmir valley. The union and state government are urged to act immediately to counter the danger from fundamentalists and prevent total annihilation of Christians in the valley. Reports received by The CSF from the Kashmir valley indicate that a large number of Christians are fleeing their houses, fearing danger of en mass killings and are now less than half in number. Sections of the Kashmir mass media have aggravated the situation, with irresponsible coverage of accounts of reverts, stating that they were asked to even drink swine's blood – which is strongly refuted and denied, as allegations without an aota of proof and mischievous, with the intention to create a divide in society on communal lines. It is reported that false charges, are being repeated ad-nasuem against “unknown non-subject” persons and Kashmiri Christians framed, which is enough for fundamentalists to unleash a reign of mass terror, with none to help. Even worse are reports of raids being conducted on houses of Christians or those who are believed converted and their families being threatened with dire consequences and a socio-economic boycott in place. Thus starving the Christians, severely compounded with a freezing winter, and leaving them with no refuge, but to fall sick and die. Most of the 400 odd Christians living in the valley now face the same persecution that Kashmiri Pandits and others faced in 1990s, when they were forcibly exiled from the Kashmir valley en mass. 23 year ago: 19, January, 1990 - Pundits & Christians of Pundit Origin had to flee The persecution of Christians started after the "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet", headed by Kashmiri Grand Mufti, (head cleric) Bashir-ud-din Ahmad's verdict demanding the punishment and expulsion of missionaries, besides ordering a take-over of Christian schools, where Islamic studies should be taught and stating that there would be no more baptisms in the valley of Kashmir. It served as a signal to any one and every one interested to target the miniscule Christian micro-minorities, who now number less than a few hundred, trapped with their institution and NGOs, under threat. The fatwa date coincided with what is termed as Holocaust Day by the Kashmiri Pandits and Christians of Kashmiri Pandit origin, who on 19 January 1990, over 23 years ago, had to flee their homes. This year on the same date, the "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet" also reportedly launched a public hate diatribe against Christians through some mosques, mass media and more effectively word of mouth. The Christians fear what happened to the Kashmiri Pundits and Christians of Kashmiri Pundit origin will happen to them. They too are being forced out of their homes, the men are beaten-up, women have their rights violated, property either taken over or left isolated – all because they professed a different faith, from the one professed by the vast majority. Christians want to return to their homes and resume their lives. Alas - this is a doomed hope. The ones who dare go back, fear instant torture and death. It has been made clear to them that they are no longer welcome to Kashmir and can do so at their own risk. There are therefore a handful ready to go back as their homes are forcibly occupied and taken over, their families set-up against them, means of livelihood destroyed, etc. And in many cases – in what must count as the greatest tragedy – the exiles find that their neighbors had profited from their absence and actively opposed their return. This is exactly what is happening to the 200 odd Christians in the Kashmir valley Despite persecution, it was estimated that there were over 400 Christians left in the valley, but sources say that as of date - about half the number have fled, leaving the remaining half to fend for themselves. One cannot blame those who have left, as torture is imminent - where you either recant or die. For those left behind and most of all Rev. CM Khanna of the Church of North India (CNI) and Fr. Jim Borst, a Dutch Catholic priest, besides the believed converts and their families, living underground - it is less an issue of religious liberty or freedom of faith. It is more about preparing to be martyred for their belief. It is mobocracy. It is theocracy in a secular democracy. But what is worse is, being J & K, the situation is even more complex - even if one wants to, little can be done. A feeling is gaining ground that one one has no option but leave them to their fate – to suffer or die. Ground Zero realities: Christian Victims – Clergy & Others It seems the complete annihilation of Christians at least from the Kashmir valley, is a stark harsh reality – Religious Cleansing? 1. False cases, frenzy zealots & rumours There is always the eminent danger of even more serious charges, like sedition, crimes against the nation… being added to cover their guilt. The fundamentalists are given a free hand and operate with impunity targeting Christians individually, if they don't revert to Islam. The "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet" has also requested the Sr. Superintendent of Police in Srinagar to ensure that a list of Muslims baptized by Rev. CM Khanna reaches it, as soon as possible. Thousands of CDs of Rev. Khanna’s Baptism programme were distributed in the locality and hate speech was reportedly heard through the mosques. The mass media put out stories of those who recanted, which has added fuel to the fire. 2. Hostile legal and official state machinery We are given to understand that The Bar Association and judicial system allegedly also did not live up to expectations. It was reported that a notice urged lawyers to boycott Rev. CM Khanna and mentioned, if any one even assisted him, action would be taken and they would themselves be responsible for the "consequences". Some members of the local Bar, reportedly disturbed the proceedings of the court. It was also reported that some lawyers also opposed bail, shouting that if bail is given, there will be strike by advocates and Kashmir will be closed. There was also seemingly no local official, no lawyer, no notary, no typist, no stationary, no photocopying machines etc. available to the missionaries & converts. 3. Christian schools and institutions targeted The Tyndel Biscoe School has just 4 Christian students out of over 7,000 including the girls wing. The Burn House Catholic School, has 3 students out of over 2,000 and the same is true of also the faculty, where Christians are negligible. Christian schools were reportedly ordered by the fundamentalists to teach Islam and daily prayers written by Syed Mohammad Iqbal should also be sung in the morning. They also ordered that Muslims be placed on the managing committees of Christian schools and their opinions sought before taking decisions. No one denied an unconfirmed report that a Christian student was beaten up and that Christian schools encouraged drug addiction and a permissive lifestyle among children. Pamphlets and handbills are reportedly circulated asking students not to recite prayers, calling God - one's Father, as it goes against the tenets of Islam, which does not mention God to be so. There is a view that some influential Muslim businesspersons involved with education, fear the Christian institutions, which offer quality education at fair fees and want to either get them out of the competition or control them by being on the management or taking over these institutions. 4. Christians are soft targets with no support For many people, Christians are soft targets for politicians, extremist groups and other vested interests and the bogey of conversions is a handy tool to achieve their selfish ends. Most of the time, conversions are used by the opposition and the ruling parties to score points over each other - with Christians caught in between. No political party or group has spoken in favor of the Christians, since they are politically inconsequential and economically backward in the state. Whipping up anti-Christian sentiments is the fastest ticket to gaining popularity, with many a minion fundamentalist, taking potshots at will. All those who have converted have done so, knowing fully well the consequences and reportedly buckle down only under extreme torture and pressure, for there is no one to hear their cry. 5. Muslims well organized to protect the faith Noted clergyman & Hurriyat Conference chief, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq recently launched a well networked multi-faceted Majlis Tahafuz-e-Imaan (Committee for Protection of Faith) to "thwart nefarious designs of pervasive forces and the deep-rooted conspiracy of making youth apostate and defectors by giving them concessions and benefits secretly". It aims to make people "aware of missionary tactics and this would be exposed before public to safeguard Imaan (faith) of our brethren". The website (www.tahafuzeiman.org) further adds "Though the fundamental goal for this organization is to thwart catastrophic missionary activities however it cannot dissociate itself from immunizing its own people with injections of Quran and Authentic Sunnah. These are noble ideals and one must stand up for one's belief. However, the fear is that such advocacy can well be misused at the lower level, with little control or machinery to check the abuse in the name of protecting the faith, including taking law into one's hand. Imams (clerics) are reported at the Friday prayer gatherings preach against apostasy, mentioning Christians & one even referring to a Korean couple to be targeted next. 6. Persecution history of death, churches burnt & mayhem There have been instances of Christians killed and property destroyed mysteriously, even until recently, besides dozens facing grievous inquiries, but here is the track record of over 20 years that cannot be denied. Christians in the Kashmir Valley have faced the fundamentalist wrath earlier. One was when it was alleged that the Alaska Mosque was desecrated by the Israelis in the mid-sixties Arab-Israeli war and the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in the heart of Srinagar at Maulana Azad Road was set ablaze. Another, when a book titled Book of Knowledge was discovered from the Government Degree College (Anantnag) in the early seventies and the All Saints Church, Srinagar was ransacked, set ablaze and copies of the Holy Bible desecrated. In November 2006, a convert from Islam, Bashir Ahmed Tantray, was shot dead by Islamist extremists in Baramullah district. Recently The All Saints Church was burnt again and in September 2010, Mobs burnt a school and a church in Tanmarg district. On 26 February 2011, a school run by a Christian family was burnt. Among the other schools torched by extremists are The Tyndale Biscoe School (Tanmarg), The Good Shepherd School (Pulwama), etc 7. Hundred percent Muslim Kashmir – Christian dilemma in J & K India will soon have a 100 percent Muslim Kashmir region, since returning back to their homes for the Kashmiri Pandits and now Christians is impossible, given no political will to remedy the situation and hostile conditions. The government's seeming inaction both at the state and federal level is greater cause for worry, as Christians in the valley are left at the mercy of the fundamentalists and allowed to perish. The non-existence of even a superficial state minorities commission or an effective human rights / women / child commissions, makes it even more difficult for the truth or the exact impact of persecution to be brought to light. The National Minorities Commission which visited J & K along with a fact finding team placed on record though that they found no evidence of force or fraud in baptisms. The government has not been able to quickly investigate the allegations made against the Christians and publicize its findings to prevent rumours from gaining currency and set the matter to rest. No relief of any kind from the administration has been received by the victims, nor is there any hope of it. The government would conveniently rather label these Christians as “migrants”, rather than “refugees or internally displaced persons”, which is what they are under international terms and also deny them assistance. Democracy, Federalism, Secularism, Harmony & Minority Rights at Stake The union and state government must take a firm stand on the issue, as it has wide repercussions for the country and its citizens as a whole. On the altar of sacrifice, in case of mishandling of the J & K anti-Christian violence issue is the very existence of India as a secular and democratic federation. Fundamentalism of / by any faith needs to be condemned and the rule of law in the land must prevail - not that of might is right. This is especially true for present-day India, which is looking at taking its rightful place as a world superpower. Fr. Jim Borst - Serving J & K for 50 years Rev. Father Jim Borst, Mill Hill Missionary Catholic Priest has been serving the valley since August 1963. He has established two schools under the name and style of Good Shepherd's Mission School - one each at Pulwama and Shiv Pora in the Kashmir Valley. His school at Pulwama was bombed twice by the terrorists and was later set ablaze. The Christian schools have been functioning in the valley since the 19th century and have been rendering yeoman's services in the valley. Tyndale Biscoe School was established in 1865 and St. Joseph's School, Baramulla in 1905 followed by the Burn Hall School, Srinagar in 1954 and Presentation Convent School, Srinagar in early 40s. Besides this the Mill Hill Missionaries had established Cambrigde school and a college too. Rev. CM Khanna – Serving as priest for 35 years The priest was responsible for co-ordinating the constructing 400 houses for the earthquake affected areas in Uri and feeding 200 children for a year and a half in the state. All of them were for Muslims, with no conversions. He has worked towards bringing about reconciliation between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslim groups. He has been awarded the Gandhian Global Family Award for 20 years service in J & K, besides other honours. He has been associated with the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy and active in building communal harmon, under the J & K Peace Foundation, which has been appreciated by all groups. Juan Marcos Troia, an Argentinian football coach In 2009, Juan Marcos Troia, an Argentinian football coach (star of the documentary, 'Inshallah Football') credited with reviving football in Kashmir has been questioned by the state football association about the funding for his clubs, is now the target of a whisper campaign. Fundamentalists are ratcheting up religious mobilization. His house vandalized, Marcos is now running around asking cops for help. "We have to fend for ourselves," says his dejected wife, Priscilla – as per media reports. Joseph Dias, General Secretary, The CSF csfpost@gmail.com

See-sawing through the political quagmire- Anna Hazare and his team stridently undemocratic in approach- Johnson Thomas

There is no doubting that the anti-graft crusade received a shot in the arm after all the varying segments of dissenting voices, the so-called pro-people forces(Medha Patkar, Awami Agnivesh, Kiran Bedi, Arjun Kejriwal, Prashant and Shanti Bhushan, Baba Ramdev, IAC et al), came together for Anna's Hazare's clarion calling crusade against corruption but the honeymoon seems to be over.After the Baba Ramdev fiasco came the Ram Lila show of strength but that victory was taken to be representative of the whole nation when in actuality that voice did not even constitute 1/1000th of the population of our country. Sailing on that victory Anna continued his strident obscurantist demands and his henchmen and women who would otherwise have backed away only prostrated their support. Sense had become a casualty and jingoism and radical positioning began to take over what seemed like the campaign of the century. The Mumbai segment of the campaign which followed the government's tabling of the Lokpal bill only seemed to magnify the distance between the people and Anna and his team. It was becoming loud and clear that Anna's team member's misdemeanors, confrontational attitude and critique only of the government when all parties were equally responsible for blocking the bill's passage,( making it even more evident) that Anna's whole campaign appears to be motivated to destabilise the government more than to pass the Lokpal legislation. The interference in local politics and vote-mongering for the opposition BJP in the Hissar bypolls only made it more and more difficult for the biased campaign to survive. Then came Anna's illness, leaving no one else (trust-worthy enough)to assume the leadership role and the campaign totally lost it's footing.

Anna's constant threats against the government and his attempts to fracture the mandate in the election bound states clearly point to him being misguided and misled by advisors who now seem to think they have the power to make the government crawl. The government may not be lily white and pure but it has definitely shown that it can take action against the corrupt. The number of ministers in jail is ample proof of that fact.It's another thing that Anna and his cronies refuse to recognise that indelible fact preferring to pillory the Government while praising opposition parties and leaders responsible for national disintegration. Anna's voice is also becoming inconsistent. One day he advocates beating up of alcoholics and politicians and the other day he claims he never advocated violence.I happened to be on the media team covering the premier of 'Gali Gali Chor hain' produced by Nitin Manmohan, directed by Rumi Jafry and starring Akshaye Khanna, Shreya Saran and Mugda Godse- held in his village Ralegaon Siddhi. It was obviously a PR exercise by the producers but what surprised me more was the manner in which Anna and his henchmen rule the village. The film had to undergo unnecessary cuts in keeping with Anna's sensibilities. As a result the experience was pretty dissatisfying with the narrative appearing choppy and lacking in finesse.During his address to the people of the village and the assembled press persons he voiced his oft-repeated sentiments hoping for committed participation from the youth in cities, supporting his campaign. He claimed he understood their preoccupation with family and work and hoped they would reassess their priorities after watching the film. In his hamlet Ralegoan Siddhi Anna is more or less regarded a despot of sorts. He and the sarpanch Jaisingh Mapari, lord it over the villagers curbing their individual freedom (going against constitutional provisions and individual human rights). TV serials are a strict no-no , alcohol is prohibited and so is smoking. Anyone caught indulging in any of the above mentioned vices would not only be flogged(in case of alcohol) but also have to pay a hefty unheard of fine.The man who has the inside connection to Anna, his secretary, is rude and pretty much arrogant. The people there are even afraid to voice their fears of him. Despite his humiliation in Mumbai, Anna continues to spurt venom on the government. So in a way Anna and his team are no different from the other strident and violent segments of society that have since become political formations and use fear as the key to gain a foothold in the Government , be it at the state level or the central level. Anna and his team also seem most likely to adopt that approach now given their failure in the more democratic approach!

Johnson Thomas

The CSF white-paper on religious ethnic cleansing in Kashmir

The CSF "White Paper" compiled by Joseph Dias General Secretary, The CSF +91 9769 55 56 57 Religious Ethnic Cleansing in Kashmir Sinister hate campaign against Christians There can be only one Supreme Court in India Suspected connivance of the state government The CSF SOS as Kashmiri Christians flee to become extinct Character Assassination & Danger to Rev. CM Khanna & family The CSF SOS: Churches of all denominations (internationally & nationally), Christians of all hues and colours, human and minority rights NGOs and civil society - please do your bit by getting in touch with the Union & State governments to act on the near annihilation of Christians and the community's presence in the Kashmir valley. Speak-up against the police and fundamentalist terror suffered by priests - Rev. CM Khanna, Fr. Jim Borst Mill Hill Missionary - besides other Christians and their families, whose lives are in danger - NOW - being stuck in the Kashmir Valley. Christians in the Kashmir Valley face persecution from a hostile neighbour, local Islamic communalists, fundamentalist courts, extremists/terrorists, biased police and local administration, paralyzed judicial system, a state government which has decided it cannot act and a union government that desperately needs to look at the situation more seriously - for its wide national and international ramifications. So to whom does the Kashmir Valley Christian go to for survival? Salutations & Acknowledgements The CSF and our man in J & K, Predhuman K Joseph Dhar (Kashmiri Pandit convert, a noted educationist, scholar and journalist who translated the Bible into Kashmiri) for this "White Paper" has relied heavily on inputs by the persecuted victims first-hand, their families, media coverage, internet, etc. The information provided from the fact-finding team led by Dr. HT Sangliana and comprising Dr. John Dayal, Dr. Richard Howell, Adv. Rev. PJ Marcose and Rev. Vijayesh Lal helped. Special mention must also be made of the noteworthy services rendered by Nicodemus (President, All J&K Christian United Federation), Dr. Sajan K. George (GCIC), SM Gill (ex MLC), Adv Monish Chopra (Jammu HC), Ms. Jyoti Agarwal (Supreme Court), Feastus Sotra (V Chairman, All J&K Christian United Federation) & a couple of others who are standing in the gap, to ensure the safety of Rev. Khanna and other victims. The CSF Urgent Recommendations 1. The Church is called to specially pray for the persecutors and the persecuted God's intervention. 2. The union & state governments must ensures the safety of Rev. CM Khanna and dozen converts 3. The Supreme Court of India must take suo moto cognizance of the existence of another SC in J&K 4. Extra - constitutional Sharia Courts are a parallel judicial system & their jurisdiction must be defined. 5. The union home ministry must take note of Muslims taking on Christians in other parts of the country. 6. The moderate Muslim leadership, human & minority rights NGOs and secular civil society must speak-up. 7. The J & K situation must not affect the minority rights movement, where all are unanimous against Hindutva. 8. Fatwas or complaints by / against believers of any faiths is unhealthy for secularim and needs to be avoided. Chilling reports from Jammu & Kashmir valley - Christians flee & reduced to half The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF) expresses shock and serious concern at the concerted campaign against Christians in Jammu & Kashmir (J & K), calling upon the union and state government to act immediately to counter the threat from Islamic fundamentalists and prevent total annihilation of Christians in the Kashmir Valley. Reports received by The CSF from the Kashmir valley indicate that a large number of Christians are fleeing their houses, fearing danger of en mass killings and are now less than half in number. This has happened over the last couple of days, when the mass media highlighted false reports of Christians converting Muslims, alluring them with money, alcohol, women, passports… And even asking them to drink swine's blood. Trumped up charges, repeated ad nasuem in cases where Christian martyrs have been framed, which is enough for fundamentalists to unleash a reign of mass terror, with none to help. Special status is granted to J & K under Article 370 of the Constitution of India and many Indian institutions have no jurisdiction here. Laws passed by the Union Parliament are not applicable to the State of Jammu and Kashmir unless the State Cabinet requests for their extension to the state to the President of India. The State has its own Penal code, called the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), not the Indian Penal Code. The State also reportedly has its own constitution and flag Even worse are reports of raids conducted on houses of Christians or those who are believed converted and their families being threatened with dire consequences and a socio-economic boycott in place. Thus starving the Christians, severely compounded with a freezing winter, and leaving them with no refuge, but to fall sick and die. Most of the 400 odd Christians living in the valley now face the same persecution that Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs faced in 1990s, when they were forcibly exiled from the Kashmir valley en mass. The persecution of Christians this time, started after the "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet", headed by Kashmiri Grand Mufti, (head cleric) Bashir-ud-din Ahmad's verdict demands the punishment and expulsion of 5 missionaries, besides ordering a take-over of Christian schools, where Islamic studies should be taught and stating that there would be no more baptisms in the valley of Kashmir. Thus the concern for the safety of all Christians in Kashmir, especially the missionaries, their families and the new believers, who have been baptized. 23 year ago: 19, January, 1990 - Pundits & Christians of Pundit Origin flee Now it is termed as Holocaust Day by the Kashmiri Pandits and Christians of Kashmiri Pandit origin, who on 19 January 1990, over 23 years ago, had to flee their homes. This year on the same date, the "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet" in multiple fatwas (edicts) called for the expulsion of 5 Christian missionaries, taking over Christian schools and institutions and even worse, launching a mass hate campaign against Christians through maulanas in mosques, mass media and more effectively word of mouth. Here is what happened way back then - Between 1989 and 1992, the majority of Kashmiri Pundits and Christians of Kashmiri Pundit origin were forced out of their homes by the Islamist terrorists. Men were murdered, women were raped, property was destroyed and threats were issued. It was made clear to them that they were no longer welcome in Kashmir, as they professed a different faith, from the one professed by terrorists. 4,00,000 Kashmiri Pandits and Christian families of Kashmiri Pandit origin fled because they feared for their lives in an exodus that was a microcosm of the Partition’s flood of refugees. Some believed that this was a temporary phase – exactly as many refugees had believed during Partition – and that when the violence was over, they could return to their homes and resume their lives. Alas - this was a doomed hope. The ones who did dare go back were instantly shot dead labeling them as state informers. And as for the others, there was less and less to go back to. Their homes were forcibly occupied and taken over by strangers. Their shops were looted. Their businesses were closed down. And in many cases – in what must count as the greatest tragedy – the exiles found that their neighbors had profited from their absence and actively opposed their return. This is exactly what is happening to the 200 odd Christians in the Kashmir valley Despite persecution, it was estimated that there were over 400 Christians left in the valley, but sources say that as of date - about half the number have fled, leaving the remaining half to fend for themselves. One cannot blame those who have left, as torture is imminent - where you either recant or die. But we need to rush to the aid of those left behind and most of all Rev. CM Khanna of the Church of North India (CNI) and Fr. Jim Borst, a Dutch Catholic priest, besides the believed converts and their families, living underground. For them and the 200 odd Christians of the valley, it is less an issue of religious liberty or freedom of faith. It is more about preparing to be martyred for their belief in Jesus Christ - as the early Christians did. It is mobocracy. It is theocracy in a secular democracy. But what is worse is, being J & K, the situation is even more complex - even if one wants to we can do nothing as - politicians blame it on a delicate situation, civil society refuses to take a stand, secular Muslims won't speak up, the Christian leadership wants to be politically correct and a few voices in the desert find writ of the government just doesn't run or there is lack of political will. So what does one who feels strongly about it do - send out an SOS on behalf of the silent majority of Indians and freedom of religion and human rights loving activists, to do whatever each of us can to save the Christians in peril. Ground Zero realities: Rev. Khanna & other victims - Persecution as never before It seems the complete annihilation of Christians at least from the Kashmir valley, is a stark harsh reality, at least unless YOU ACT, which is why The CSF presents the ground reality - 1. False cases, frenzy zealots & rumours The police under pressure from the "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet", which is an extra-constitutional authority with no official legal sanction, has registered false cases trumped-up under sections 153A and 295A, for spreading hatred between communities, etc. These cases have been forged upon the missionaries and Christians without an shred of evidence. There is always the eminent danger of even more serious charges being added to cover their guilt. The fundamentalists are given a free hand and operate with impunity targeting Christians individually, if they don't revert to Islam. The mass media put out stories of those who recanted, which has added fuel to the fire. These reverts make all kinds of false allegations, like being lured and seduced with various enticement, in-fact they were made to drink swine blood and converted to Christianity. Rev. Khanna was told that he was being protected by the police, but he was arrested on a Saturday and kept in illegal confinement and refused bail for many days. Mrs. Kanta Khanna is publicly accused of proselytizing by enticement and is being moved out of the state as she is gravely ill and in a state of shock. 2. Hostile legal and official state machinery The Bar Association and the judiciary allegedly also did not live up to expectations. It was reported that a notice outside the court urged all lawyers to boycott Rev. CM Khanna and mentioned, if any one even assisted, they would be thrown out of Bar Association, would be asked to stop practicing and will be responsible for the "consequences". Not only did the Bar Association announce that they would not defend him, but members of the local Bar disturbed the proceedings of the court. When the judge found that there is nothing in the case, and after the arguments, he was about to give bail, about 25 lawyers started shouting that if bail is given, there will be strike by advocates and Kashmir will be closed. There is no local official, no lawyer, no notary, no typist, no stationary, no photocopying machines etc. available to the missionaries and the converts. The "Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet" has also requested the Sr. Superintendent of Police in Srinagar to ensure that a list of Muslims baptised by Rev. CM Khanna reaches it, as soon as possible. 3. Christian schools and institutions targeted The Tyndel Biscoe School has just 4 Christian students out of over 7,000 including the girls wing. The Burn House Catholic School, has 3 students out of over 2,000 and the same is true of also the faculty, where Christians are negligible. All Christian schools are ordered to teach Islam and daily prayers written by Syed Mohammad Iqbal should also be sung in the morning, the Islamic authorities say. The Sharia Court also ordered that Muslims be placed on the managing committees of the Christian school and their opinions sought before acting. No one denied an unconfirmed report that a Christian student was beaten up and that Christians schools encourage drug addiction and a permissive lifestyle among children. Pamphlets and handbills are reportedly circulated asking students not to recite prayers, calling God - one's Father, as it goes against the tenets of Islam, which does not mention God to be so. There is a view that some influential Muslim businesspersons involved with education, fear the Christian institutions, which offer quality education at fair fees and want to either get them out of the competition or control them by being on the management or taking over these institutions. 4. Christians are soft targets with no support For many people, Christians are soft targets for politicians, extremist groups and other vested interests and the bogey of conversions is a handy tool to achieve their selfish ends. Most of the time, conversions are used by the opposition and the ruling parties to score points over each other - with Christians caught in between. No political party or group has spoken in favor of the Christians, since they are politically inconsequential and economically backward in the state. Whipping up anti-Christian sentiments is the fastest ticket to gaining popularity, with many a minion fundamentalist, especially those influenced by 'Wahabism', taking potshots at will. All those who have converted have done so, knowing fully well the consequences and reportedly buckle down only under extreme torture and pressure, for there is no one to hear their cry. But there are enough numbers of those who are prepared to die for Christ - the issue is should we let them? 5. Muslims well organized to protect the faith Noted clergyman & Hurriyat Conference chief, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq recently launched a well networked multi-faceted Majlis Tahafuz-e-Imaan (Committee for Protection of Faith) to "thwart nefarious designs of pervasive forces and the deep-rooted conspiracy of making youth apostate and defectors by giving them concessions and benefits secretly". It aims to make people "aware of missionary tactics and this would be exposed before public to safeguard Imaan (faith) of our brethren". The website (www.tahafuzeiman.org) further adds "Though the fundamental goal for this organization is to thwart catastrophic missionary activities however it cannot dissociate itself from immunizing its own people with injections of Quran and Authentic Sunnah. These are noble ideals and one must stand up for one's belief. However, the fear is that such advocacy can well be misused at the lower level, with little control or machinery to check the abuse in the name of protecting the faith, including taking law into one's hand. Imams (clerics) at the Friday prayer gathering preach against apostasy, mentioning Christians and with one even referring to a Korean couple to be targeted next. 6. Persecution history of death, churches burnt & mayhem There have been instances of Christians killed and property destroyed mysteriously, even until recently, besides dozens facing grievous inquiries, but here is the track record of over 20 years that cannot be denied. Christians in the Kashmir Valley have faced the fundamentalist wrath earlier. One was when it was alleged that the Alaska Mosque was desecrated by the Israelis in the mid-sixties Arab-Israeli war and the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in the heart of Srinagar at Maulana Azad Road was set ablaze. Another, when a book titled Book of Knowledge was discovered from the Government Degree College (Anantnag) in the early seventies and the All Saints Church, Srinagar was ransacked, set ablaze and copies of the Holy Bible desecrated. In November 2006, a convert from Islam, Bashir Ahmed Tantray, was shot dead by Islamist extremists in Baramullah district. Recently The All Saints Church was burnt again and in September 2010, Muslim mobs burned a school and a church in Tanmarg district. On 26 February 2011, a school run by a Christian family was burnt. Among the other schools torched by extremists are The Tyndale Biscoe School (Tangmarg), The Good Shepherd School (Pulwama), etc 7. Hundred percent Muslim Kashmir – Christian dilemma in J & K India will soon have a 100 percent Muslim Kashmir region, since returning back to their homes for the Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and now Christians is impossible, given no political will and hostile conditions. The government's inaction both at the state and federal level is greater cause for worry, as Christians in the valley are left at the mercy of the fundamentalists and allowed to perish. The non-existence of even a superficial state minorities commission or an effective human rights / women / child commissions, makes it even more difficult for the truth or the exact impact of persecution to be brought to light. The National Minorities Commission which visited J & K along with a fact finding team has been able to do little. It placed on record though that they found no evidence of force or fraud in baptisms. The government has not been able to quickly investigate the allegations made against the Christians and publicize its findings to prevent rumours from gaining currency and set the matter to rest. No relief of any kind from the administration has been received by the victims, nor is there any hope of it. The government calls these refugees or internally displaced persons migrants to deny them any assistance. Democracy, Federalism, Secularism, Harmony & Minority Rights at Stake The union and state government must take a firm stand on the issue, as it has wide repercussions for the country and its citizens as a whole. On the altar of sacrifice, in case of mishandling of J & K issue is the very existence of India as a secular and democratic federation. The minorities are already facing a common enemy in terms of a belligerent and violent Hindutva saffron brigade and are reeling under attacks - both direct and subtle. A further division among minorities, who are united all over the country will only be to the advantage of communal forces. Fundamentalism of by any faith needs to be condemned and the rule of law in the land must prevail, not that of might is right. This is especially true for present-day India, which is looking at taking its rightful place as a world superpower. Fr. Jim Borst - Serving J & K for 50 years Rev. Father Jim Borst, Mill Hill Missionary Catholic Priest has been serving the valley since August 1963. He has established two schools under the name and style of Good Shepherd's Mission School - one each at Pulwama and Shiv Pora in the Kashmir Valley. His school at Pulwama was bombed twice by the terrorists and was later set ablaze. The Christian schools have been functioning in the valley since the 19 th Century and have been rendering yeoman's services in the valley.. Tyndale Biscoe School was established in 1865 and St. Joseph's School, Baramulla in 1905 followed by the Burn Hall School, Srinagar in 1954 and Presentation Convent School, Srinagar in early 40s. Besides this the Mill Hill Missionaries had established Cambrigde school and a college too. Juan Marcos Troia, an Argentinian football coach In 2009, Juan Marcos Troia, an Argentinian football coach (star of the documentary, 'Inshallah Football') credited with reviving football in Kashmir has been questioned by the state football association about the funding for his clubs, is now the target of a whisper campaign. Fundamentalists are ratcheting up religious mobilization. His house vandalized, Marcos is now running around asking cops for help. "We have to fend for ourselves," says his dejected wife, Priscilla. Predhuman K Joseph Dhar's Remarks Not all Muslims are terrorists, most of them want to live in peace. But today the situation is so exacerbated that anyone who speaks of Muslim extremism or Islamic terrorism is considered Islamophobic or racist. Hence, no one is willing to stand against the abuses on the minority Hindu Pandits and now Christians in J & K. Why is the government giving all its attention to the Kashmiri Islamists? The answer is: It’s not because they are Kashmiris; it is because they are they know the best way of getting you to listen is to threaten or use violence. Plant a few bombs, hijack the odd plane, mastermind a massacre or two, and suddenly, those in power will beat a path to your door. There will be negotiations, peace talks, and conciliatory proposals and finally, you will get some measure of "justice", according to you. But the Kashmiri Pandits and now Christians are decent, educated people who have always eschewed violence and who, in the face of grave provocation, have never resorted to attention-seeking terrorism. Instead, they have put their faith in Indian democracy, hoping that politicians will recognize that injustice has been done to them and offer some recompense. Sadly, we have failed them. Nobody pays any attention to their cause. Politicians do not regard them as electorally significant enough to merit any concern. As for the rest of the world, when global conferences are held on tension in South Asia and on finding solutions to the Kashmir problem, the Kashmiri Pandits and now Christians don’t even get a mention. They are the invisible people, too uncomplaining to matter and too decent to count for anything. The least we can do is pray for them and support any person or NGO like The CSF, which has taking up their cause.