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dam-l LS: Statement of Gujarat Orgs Against Suppression of Free Speech
Press Statement/ July 24, 1999
STATEMENT BY ORGANISATIONS AND PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS IN GUJARAT
AGAINST THE ATTEMPTS TO SUPPRESS FREEDOM OF SPEECH & EXPRESSION
We are appalled at the attempts by some political parties, pro-Sardar
Sarovar project elements to burn the copies of the book " The Greater
Common Good" by renowned author Ms. Arundhati Roy. It is all the more
reprehensible that they have threatened the bookshops in Ahmedabad city
to withdraw the book from their stalls. It is a kind of undeclared
censorship by the self styled 'Thought Police' in our society to
suppress and hide the the facts from the people of Gujarat. This is the
height of intolerance and undemocratic and unconstitutional behaviour.
Moreover, it was reported that some people have threatened to 'stop'
the proposed " Rally in the Valley" to be launched on July 29th from
Delhi in support of the people in the Narmada valley, who have been on
Satyagraha against the submergence and displacement. All these are the
blatant violations of the basic rights of the individuals and the groups
who have different opinions.
These attempts to physically prevent the expression of opinions are not
new for the struggles of the depressed classes, particularly for the
Narmada Bachao Andolan. In this way, the pro-dam elements are
also blocking the right to information of the Gujarat people. If they
have any case, they could have as well countered the arguments put
forth by Ms. Roy and others opposing the dam, in a democratic manner. We
call for such reasoned debate and evaluation of the development process
in our country. But instead of that, the attempt to throttle the debate
with muscle power has to be condemned in severest terms.
It is sad commentary on public life of the state that instead of patient
debate, the attempts to suppress any possibility of dissent is
being encouraged by the state. The police did not take any action
against the threats of hooliganism and the government media gave undue
publicity to such an act.It reveals the state's active role in
such acts of suppression of the freedom.
We appeal to all the people in Gujarat who have faith in the democratic
rights and the freedom of speech and expression to stand up against the
these intolerant and fascist tendencies. These elements are tarnishing
the image of Gujarat people. We will have to restore the spirit of the
tolerance, respecting the rights of others to have dissenting opinions
and non-violence in the state.
Tulsi Boda
Acting President Civil Liberties, Gujarat Nimita Bhatt
Ashwin Patel
Girish Patel Baroda
Adhikar Sangh, Gujarat, Ahmedabad
Thakorbhai Shah Vinay Mahajan,
Vadodara Kamdar Sangathan, Baorda Ahmedabad
Jyotibhai Desai Binoy Acharya
Educationist, Vedchhi, Surat. Unnati
Jashbhai Patel, Nafisa Barot
Scientist, author, Baroda Ahmedabad
Ashwini Bhatt Apoorva Oza
Writer, Journalist Ahmedabad
Lallubhai Desai, Trupti Soni
Manav Kalyan Trust, Khedbrahma. Ahmedabad
Fr. Vincent Salil Mehta
Navsarjan Trust, Surat. Utthan Trust
Ahmedabad
Trupti Shah
Sahiyar ( Women's Organisation), Baroda Rajesh Bhatt
Ahmedabad
Nimisha Desai
Olakh ( Women's organisation), Baroda Dr. Jagannath Vora
Punarutthan Trust
Kapil Shah
Jatan, Baroda
Neela Dave
Swashraya, Baroda Raju- Deppti
Jeevan- Tirtha
Rohit Prajapati
Inquilabi Communist Sangathan, Baroda.
Bhupesh Shah
Parivartan, Baroda.
Ishwarbhai Yogi
Astha, Godhra, Panchmahal
Aditi Desai, Shabnam Virmani,
Stalin, Vinita Bhansali, Nimmi Chauhan
Drishti Media, Ahmedabad
Dr. Swaroop Dhruv
Writer, Ahmedabad