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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