malnutrition deaths

Supreme court order In 2009 the SC said that nutrition and feeding norms have to ensure that children between 6 months and 3 years of age must get 500 calories and 12-15 gm of protein daily. For severely malnourished children 800 calories and 20-25 gm of protein For pregnant and lactating mothers- 600 calories and 18-20 gm of Protein Malnourishment deaths stats 2010 (Jan to Aug)------12,792 2011(Jan to Aug)-------18,486 How many deaths will it take till govt knows that too many kids have died? Published: Saturday, Oct 1, 2011, 9:30 IST By Sandeep Pai & Gangadhar S Patil | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA The Maharashtra government had planned to bring down the number of malnourished children in the state by providing them with packaged food. The idea might have been noble but the government, it seems, forgot to run quality checks. As a result, the food supplied is substandard and the number of children dying of malnutrition has gone up substantially. DNA found that the food, provided by the government, under the Take Home Ration (THR) scheme is way short in calories than what the manufacturers claim. Also, children between six months and three years can barely accept the food: sheera, upma, sattu and sukhdi (meant for adolescent girls). Of the four, sheera is the most important as it is recommended for and given to severely malnourished children at least thrice daily. A nutritional analysis test on the food provided by Anacon Laboratories Pvt Ltd, Nagpur, showed 3g of protein and 42 calories less (sample size was 100g) than the amount mentioned on the packets. Upma and sukhdi had 75 and 70 calories less. DNA has a copy of the report. A senior official from the woman and child welfare department (WCD) claimed that the government carries out tests every month on samples. But the official admitted that the packaged foods were short of the calorific requirements. "Our tests always show that the samples have 30-60 calories less than the prescribed limit," the official said. Vandana Krishna, WCD secretary, refused to comment on the matter, but Varsha Gaikwad, WCD minister, promised to look into it. "I have to first understand the details of the court case," she told DNA on the phone. When DNA sought her views on banning THR in the state, the phone, strangely, got disconnected and subsequent attempts proved futile as the recorded message of the service provider kept saying the phone was switched off. The Bombay high court had recently directed the government to provide children in Amravati district with freshly cooked meal instead of THR. The directive has led to a marked improvement. DNA found children happy with the food. Bandhu Sagar, a petitioner in the case and a social activist from Amravati, said children were very happy. "Now, they get cooked food and they like to eat it too." Government guidelines prescribe punishment for manufacturers whose packaged food does not meet the standard. Strangely, no action has been taken against errant manufacturers even though the WCD has found food samples not meeting the calorific requirements. DNA had earlier reported that state government statistics peg the number of children (0-6 years age group) who died of malnutrition between January and August this year is 18,486. The figure for the same period in 2010 was 12,792. So, this means 5,694 more babies died this year. But, how does the food meant for children in the six months-three years age group affect the health of those in the three to six age bracket. Since kids (six months-three years) do not like the food under the THR scheme, they eat cooked food meant for children (3-6 years). This means splitting the ration. "Nobody likes THR. We generally divide the cooked food among all the children in the village," an anganwadi worker said. DNA found the same pattern in almost all anganwadis in Mumbai, Thane and Amravati. "This division means children from both age groups suffer as they do not get the required amount of calories," Mahesh Kamble, assistant state adviser for Supreme Court commissioners, said. "The cascading effect is: an increase in the number of malnourished children in the state." Anganwadis used to provide children (six months-three years) with hot cooked food till last year when the government replaced it with THR in view of World Health Organisation guidelines to tackle malnourishment. In the course of its investigation, DNA found that the THR scheme has been a failure. In villages, THR is cattle fodder, and in cities, there are hardly any takers. Anganwadi workers mostly pay out of their pockets to clear unused THR. "We pay Rs150 to a sweeper to clear packets… nobody wants to eat THR," an anganwadi worker from Trombay said. For most anganwadis, THR is a nuisance as parents refuse THR and manufacturers force them to accept it. "We have told our supervisors that we don't need THR. But we are forced to accept consignments and sign delivery receipts." Since most families have storage issues, the food is eaten within a day or two. But packets are given once in every 10-15 days, Shubha Shamim, state secretary of Anganwadi Karmachari Sanghatana, Maharashtra, said. Also, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said in a report on Mumbai that a month's ration of THR is distributed in a day. This means there is minimal interaction with children or their parents. This also means symptoms of malnutrition, if any, go unchecked. Despite all this, the government is reluctant to disband the THR scheme.

Invitation to support Besharmi Morcha

Dear Friends, On a daily basis, a woman on the road does more than just walk to a destination in mind. She does that in an almost ready-for-battle state of avoiding the stares, hoots, haws, comments, gropes, grabs, and more advanced combinations from elements on the streets. All the while, being on a defensive best, because if she does run into any of these, she will have to explain why she’s been “inviting trouble”. Built on this everyday experience, sexual harassment and rape is at an all time high in our country. It has become instant nature for our authorities and our public to develop a very false perception that the victim puts herself in a place of trouble by dressing provocatively, maintaining a promiscuous lifestyle, alluding to “western” norms of living, etc. As a result, not only are we culturing wrong ideas about sexual abuse, we’re also allowing it to become a deeper part of our social fabric. And all along, we’re using wrong methods to combat this growing disease. SlutWalk as a movement started in Toronto, when a police officer as part of a lecture said that “women should stop dressing like sluts” if they don’t want to get raped. It is part of a worldwide grassroots movement challenging rape culture, victim-blaming, social judgment and working to end sexual and domestic violence. This movement has spread rapidly spread across the world . Recently the first slutwalk in India happened in New Delhi popularly known as “Besharmi March”. We felt, that the movement would be extremely relevant in a place like Bangalore, where sexual abuse takes place on so many levels on a daily basis. And of course, the fact that victims are blamed for “bringing it upon themselves” ever-so-often here in India added to our drive and belief in the legitimacy of the movement here in Bangalore. Supporters may wish to claim “slut” as a positive label of sexual freedom, ridicule the arbitrary nature of the insult, or do away with the violence of such language altogether, but ultimately we need to strategize as a group to end sexual violence. We believe that no matter who you are, where you work, what you wear, whom you choose to love, or what you said before: NO ONE has the right to touch you without your consent. We need to COME TOGETHER. As people from all gender expressions and orientations, all walks of life, levels of employment and education, all races, ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all points of this city and elsewhere. We are asking you to join hands to make a unified statement about sexual assault and victims’ rights and to demand respect for all. However, we want to do much more than just a symbolic “walk”. Many of the events we had in mind would need the experience and expertise of people involved in fields ranging from gender study to child sexual abuse. Hence, we want to call for an open meeting, to seek your opinions and involvement in the endeavours we have planned out. Please check the attached event brief (both in kannada and english) for a list of the activities we had in mind, and do let us know a time that is most convenient. Time: 5 PM, Date: 3rd Oct, 2011 Venue: Alternative Law Forum, 122/4, Infantry Road (Opposite Wedding House) Bangalore 560001 (Nearest bus stop – Shivajinagar Depot) Contact no- 96860 18042 Warm regards,

community rights sangamma at Coorg

JOIN THE Community Rights Sangama 2011 of Adivasis, Fisher people, Forest workers, Dalits, Women and Children OCTOBER 9-12, 2011 (Kushalnagar, COORG, Karnataka) Contact - ROY DAYID ( community.rights.sangama@gmail.com, 09448476091) Introduction: During the last few years, under the agenda of globalization, many struggles of adivasis, fisher people, forest workers and dalits have been taking place for their community rights in relation to forest, sea, water resources and land. As you are aware, the present policies of the Government tend to sell, rob and loot the natural resources to the corporates – a resource base of various communities including adivasis, fisher folk, the forest workers and dalits who are entirely dependent on these natural resource bases for their livelihood. The denial of the commons to the communities is a violation of the fundamental rights as well as a violation of human rights. The new forest rights Act has provided some benefits for the adivasis and traditional forest dwellers for their rights on forests. But unfortunately, none of these rights are implemented in its true word & spirits.. The Coastal Management Zone Notification has been withdrawn due to various struggles of the fisher people. However, the latest move is to capture the lands of the fishing community using new jargons. Attempts are being made to dilute the Forest Rights Act and the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification so that the emerging multinationals and the corporate world are benefited. The rights of the forest workers have been denied as ever before. Women and children face the maximum burden of this loot of natural resources. We believe that there is a common link between the fishing communities, adivasis and the forest workers in their struggle to assert the rights for their livelihood resources. During the freedom struggle adivasi leader Birsa Munda, who fought the British attempt to takeover the natural resources from the adivasis stated that “No government can own the natural resources since they are the livelihood resource base of the communities.” The rights for the natural resources cannot be taken away from the community either by the State or the corporate world. It is very crucial that the struggles for community rights have to be provided a platform, so that common issues can be discussed and common agendas can be framed. We believe that the natural resources are not endless and the real protectors of nature have to be recognized. Hence, the present policies of plunder and loot have to be opposed tooth and nail. We also believe that social issues can not be compartmentalised and every issue based struggle is interconnected and unless the affected communities come together, the real changes in history will not take place. Time has come to realize that no single issue movement will succeed without the support and solidarity of all other issue-based struggles. In this context, we are proposing a convention of representatives of the struggles of adivasis, fisher people and forest workers to discuss and evolve a common agenda to fight for the rights of communities in relation to land, forest and water. COMMUNITY RIGHTS SANGAMA Participation: Adivasis 2. Forest dwellers and workers 3. Fisher people 4. Dalits 5. Women 6. Children Programmes for First and Second Days During the first two days, there will be a discussion on the following themes: Forest Rights Act and its implementation: The Forest Rights Act, 2006, has recognised some of the rights of the communities dependent on the forests. Unfortunately this act is never implemented in its true word and spirits’. Major violations of the act is taking place all over the country, displacing communities and violating the very essence of the Act. Coastal Regulation Zone Notification and its implementation: Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 1991, recognised some of the rights of the fishing communities on the coastal resources. However, thousands of violations of the Notification have taken place in every coastal state of India. Many attempts have been made to dilute the Notification in many ways. However, due to the organised struggle of the fisher people a new notification recommended by a committee headed by Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, was forced to be abandoned. Many struggles are going on to make the violators of the Notification responsible to environment and local communities. EIA: Under the modern implementation of development, the Environment Impact Assessment has ceased to have any meaningful existence. The local communities have become of this paradox. SEZ, STA, etc: The corporations have been given blanket support by the government for Special Economic Zones and Special Tourism Areas. All existing norms for human rights and environment have been violated. There are thousands of struggles in this country which spread all over due to the violations of community rights. Tourism – Eco tourism, medical tourism, spiritual tourism, responsible tourism, etc. These categories often build a myth that tourism can exist and spread without destruction of environment, local resources and culture. The marginalised communities in India are becoming more and more vocal on the rights of the communities in this regard. National Parks, Sanctuaries – Critical Tiger Habitat, Elephant Corridor, Coral Reefs, Olive Ridley Turtles, etc. This institutionalised form of `protecting' environment has collapsed more or less completely. The adivasis and fisher folk in different parts of the country are victims of this commodified conservation ventures. Conservation values, culture & spirituality of adivasis, fisher folk and traditional communities: One of the reasons for the invasion on the natural resources might have come up due to the non-protection of the values, culture and spirituality of the local community. The values of the local communities have inherent strength to contradict capitalist invasion on natural resources. Unfortunately, activists in India today are yet to use this strength in the struggle against many major violations on community rights and livelihood rights. Mining and Community Rights – Iron ore, coal, bauxite, sand mining, quarries, uranium, monazite, etc: During the post globalised era in India, mining has become a grave concern for the local communities. Displacements, destruction of the environment and culture have become crucial issues for the local communities. There is a major need for articulation and preservation of the community rights being violated by the mining industries in India. Large dams: Large dams represent displacement, siltation, water logging, deforestation, submergence, health disorders, destruction of culture and many other problems for the local communities. Many laws which protect the community rights have been gravely violated by the large dams. While none of the large dams constructed in India have ever provided what they have promised, the Government is still pursuing the construction of large dams with support of international agencies like The World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Nuclear Power Plants: Almost all nuclear power projects in India have generated radiation problems, causing cancer and genetic disorders for the local communities. The Indian Rare Earths, Kalpakkam, Kota Nuclear Power Plant, Kaiga, Jaduguda and monozite mining in Chavara, Neendakara and Manavalakkurichi have caused cancer, genetic disorders, reproductive problems and skin disorders for the local communities. Since most of the nuclear plants are in the coastal areas and adivasi areas, major violations of rights have taken place on the local communities. Militarisation and Community Rights: The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) justifies the use of blatant violence of the Indian army over the local communities in the north east and Kashmir. The hunger fast initiated by Irom Sharmila has crossed 10 years demanding the repeal of this draconian Act. Thousands have been killed, raped, tortured from the local communities with the blatant use of this Act. The struggles of the local communities facing grave human rights violations need urgent support from all over the country. Water and Community Rights: Water is fast becoming a commodity under globalisation, with a higher profit margin than gold or software industry. While the community rights over water is being denied in many places, the common resources of water are being sold to the multinationals. It has come to a stage that many rivers are also getting sold in this country. The pollution of the rivers have affected the community rights in many ways. The idea of interlinking the rivers will violate the community rights in a major manner. The politicians are also trying to divide communities using rivers. Water wars will become a major problem in the coming years as per experts. Access to clean and safe water for the dalits is a major problem since water resources are controlled by the upper caste in the villages. Other mega development projects: The major question for the communities today on development is: Development for whom and at whose cost. The concept of development has violated the community rights aggressively in modern India. One adivasi is being displaced every minute by the mega development projects. Many struggles in India are taking place against the violation of the community rights of the people. Community Rights & communalism: Around 350 churches and worship places were destroyed in Kandhamal. The victims were adivasis and dalits. Attacks on the Christian community rights have taken place in over ten states following the attack in Kandhamal. Attacks on the community rights of the Muslims have taken place during several riots, especially after the destruction of Babari Masjid. The communal forces have received the justification and legitimacy by most of the mainstream institutions in India, generating deep insecurity among the minority communities. Community Knowledge: Modern science and modern education systems have undermined the strength and significance of the traditional knowledge systems upheld by the local communities for generations. These knowledge systems are environment friendly and cause least damage. The present development model alienates the communities from their own knowledge. Knowledge of the communities which can be commodified are fast being patented and the rights of the communities are being denied. 16. Free Trade Agreements, FDI etc. on communities: The burning question under globalisation today is whether there is freedom of the communities or freedom of the market. The free market system and the freedom of the investors have violated the community rights pushing many to the levels of starvation. Farmers, fisher people, adivasis, workers, women and children are the worst victims. 17. Climate Change and Communities: The increases of the sea levels have already created climate refugees of the fisher folk in India. The adivasis, fisher folk and traditional farmers are the stake holders on this issue. These communities have not yet been recognised in the debates on climate change. Cultural Activities: Cultural Activities of local communities will take place on both first and second day of the Sangama. Exhibitions: Exhibitions of the traditional communities will take place throughout the Sangama. Venue: Kushalnagar Dates: October 10, 11 & 12 – 2011 Proposed Supportive Organisations: National Adivasi Alliance, Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, Theeradesa Mahilavedi, Coastal Action Forum, PPSS (Anti-POSCO Movement), INSAF, CORD, ODAF, Citizens’ Global Platform (India), PEACE, Adivasi Solidarity Council , PAD, Uttarakhand Jan Haqdari Manch, Jharkhand Jangal Bachao Andolan,SICHREM, HRLN, National Adivasi Andolan, Dayamani - Adivasi Mulavasi Asthithvaraksha Manch, Nadhi Ghati Morcha, National Fish Workers Federation, Kabani- The Other Direction, Moving Republic, NFFPFW, National Alliance of Anti-Nuclear Movements, Budakattu Krishikara Sanga, Visual Search, People’s Solidarity Concerns, New Socialist Alternative,Solidarity Youth Movement,Joint Tribal Action – Karnataka, Rajamulle Nivasi Wedike - Karnataka, and many others. Objectives of the Sangama: The following will be the main objectives of the Sangama: 1. To connect important people’s movements connected with the issues of natural resources and community rights. 2. To widen the reach of the demands of the people’s movements on community rights and livelihood issues. 3. To generate a support base for those who are struggling on the rights of the marginalised communities. 4. To generate support from the mainstream media, internet communication and alternative media on issues related to natural resources and community rights. 5. To pressurise the Government on the demands expressed by the communities on their rights to natural resources and livelihoods. 6. To document the concerns of the communities and use them for future advocacy and campaigns for the rights of the communities. -- RESIST globalisation COMBAT communalism DEFEND democracy http://www.insafindia.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "insaf-alerts" group. To post to this group, send email to insafdelhi@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to insafdelhi+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/insafdelhi?hl=en. -- INSAF national secretariat A -124/6, 1st Floor, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi-110016 Ph: +91-11-65663958, Telefax:+91-11-26517814 E-mail: insafdelhi@gmail.com URL-www.insafindia.org __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: New Members 3 Visit Your Group ________________________________________

Vacancies at KSHSRC

Vacancies at http://stg2.kar.nic.in/healthnew/NRHM/community%20process.pdf Dear friends, Some vacancies at KSHSRC (Karnataka State Health Systems Development and Reforms Project) if anyone is interested Sylvia

Annual sport for development International meet

New Delhi, India Maidan Summit 2011 – Annual Sport for Development International Meet, New Delhi Dear friend, Magic Bus India Foundation (MBIF) is pleased to announce Maidan Summit 2011, the second annual Sport for Development (S4D) international meet from December 1 to 3 in New Delhi, India. The objectives of the Summit are to provide an interactive forum for NGOs, policy makers, technical experts and donor agencies, advocate cross-sectoral use of S4D strengthening the S4D platform in India. The event will commence with a Sport for Development International Meet in New Delhi on 1st Dec. at the Paintal Memorial Golden Jubilee Hall, VP Chest Institute, North Campus, University of Delhi. This will be followed by a series of workshops over the next two days designed for agencies which use or wish to use sport as a means to promote human development. The workshops shall be based on the following seven themes: Sport and Education; Sport and Health; Sport and Gender; Sport and Livelihoods, Youth Development; Sport and Social Inclusion; Sport and PE in schools; Sports Sciences and PE in colleges and universities (from the PE curriculum perspective). Participants will share and discuss key concepts, strategies and best practice in S4D which will further lead to drafting a way forward. We are also developing Maidan (means playground) platform into a permanent, independent and sustainable online Indian sport for development resource. We are particularly pleased to announce the forthcoming launch of Maidan magazine, a biannual collection of news articles and stories from the rapidly growing Sport for Development sector. Maidan 2011 is supported by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Govt. of India, Australian Sports Commission and Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Delhi University. We invite you to participate or nominate senior management to attend the conference. Your contribution to the S4D forum would be of great value and your representatives will benefit from becoming a part of the international S4D network. They will also gain an in-depth exposure to contemporary issues and practices in the global S4D arena. Please find attached the Conference (1st Dec.) and Workshops (2nd & 3rd Dec.) agenda along with the Registration Form. A copy of the Registration Form/s, duly filled in for each nominated participant may kindly be returned to the Conference Secretariat in Delhi, together with the registration fees. We look forward to an early response with your confirmation of participation. Yours sincerely, Deepika About Magic Bus Magic Bus is a registered Section 25 Not-for-Profit Company in India, with international fundraising offices in UK, USA and Germany. Founded in 1999, we are the leading Sport for Development (S4D) player in the country, and have been appointed the Knowledge and Implementing Partner of Panchayat Yuva Khel aur Krida Abhiyan (PYKKA), the rural sports programme mandated to reach to about 200,000 villages in the country, by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Government of India (GoI). Previously, under International Inspiration programme of London Olympics 2012, we have worked in partnership with GoI and UNICEF to develop and pilot functional capacity building models for community sports coaches and trainers at the grassroots level in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi. With our unique Sport for Development (S4D) programme, we work towards empowering children and youth in areas of Education, Gender, Health, Leadership and Livelihood, promoting the concept of Right to Play. We have envisioned a growth plan of reaching out to 1,000,000 children and youth in 10 states of India, through over 2500 staff and 30000 volunteers by 2014. Towards this, Magic Bus is currently working in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Orissa and Karnataka. CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT 1. Rekha Dey, Head – Relationships, Magic Bus India Foundation rekha@magicbusindia.org 2. Rishi Vashistha, Manager – Communication & Advocacy, Magic Bus India Foundation rishi@magicbusindia.org |+91 9958293444 3. Deepika Srivastava, Officer – Relationships, Magic Bus India Foundation deepika_s@magicbusindia.org | +91 9891926485 Deepika Srivastava Officer - Relationships National Programme Mobile:(+91)9891926485 Board | Blog | Delhi / NCR Office: C2/105, Sector 36, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh 201301 T: +91 120 4787 420 Ext: 420 (within office) | Other Offices Magic Bus India, Mumbai Magic Bus UK, London Magic Bus US, Houston Magic Bus Germany, München | Magic Bus Centre For Learning & Development, India, Mumbai

Collaboration offer for financial literacy program

Dear Sir / Madam, India Infoline (IIFL) has launched a pioneering educational initiative called Financial Literacy Agenda for Mass Empowerment (FLAME). Under the FLAME initiative, IIFL has designed a comprehensive Financial Literacy Certification Course called FIN-LITES for the students of Std.VIII, Std.IX and Std.X. The ob-jective with this distance learning course is to train and certify students on day-to-day money management based on their understanding of key concepts through a specially designed FIN-LITES workbook. We wish to partner with your esteemed school in this social empowerment mission and look forward to hosting the FIN-LITES course in your school. We have taken utmost care to make certain that students understand the concepts in a simple manner without taking much time. We will also arrange online doubt clearing sessions from time-to-time. We will be very accommodative in ensuring that the FIN-LITES test does not clash with any other tests or activities of the school. Please find enclosed a covering letter, the FIN-LITES brochure, and IIFL Research HeadⳠmessage for your perusal. You may also click on the link below to view the highlights of the FLAME launch event inaugurated by Dr. K. C. Chakrabarty, Deputy Governor, RBI and Mr. Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC. http://content.indiainfoline.com/wc/downloads/FLAME/FLAME_Launch-Book.pdf Getting in touch with us is simple. Drop us a mail at edu@flame.org.in with your contact details or call us on 91-22-40609296 and we will be glad to explain the procedure. Schools and students will be given constant support online and offline. We will also send you a process note which explains how the contest will work, from start to finish. Appreciate your time and we look forward to your support. Warm regards, FLAME Team Website: www.flame.org.in Facebook: facebook.com/iiflflame Twitter: twitter.com/iiflflame

Citizens for Social Justice appeal

Citizens for Social Justice H.Q: Plot No.69, Citizen Colony, Old Alwal, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, 500015 Delhi Address: RZ 61, 4th Floor, Palam Vihar, Sector 6, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075 Mobile No: 9989477875 (Mr. Moses Vattipalli) Email:- citizens4socialjustice@gmail.com Press Release Members of Parliament Appealed for Lokpal Bill as 2014 Election Manifesto New Delhi, September 27, 2011 The Citizens for Social Justice write to Union Ministers, political parties and Members of Parliament of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to make Lokpal Bill as 2014 Lok Sabha Election manifesto. Let the nation decide a strong Anti Corruption Bill not by Team Anna and their version of Civil Societies. The appeal to make Lokpal Bill as 2014 Lok Sabha Electoral manifesto came up as response to Anna Hazare’s 13 days fast against corruption at Ram Lila Ground, New Delhi in August. The method used by Team Anna was great danger for democratic nation to blackmail the constitutionally elected parliamentarians to get through their version of Jan Lokpal Bill. Prof Kancha Ilaiah, Director of the Study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad says, “We all oppose corruption with all the might at our disposal. But we do not want that the outside forces like the Team Anna Hazare to blackmail the system and get their way through even at the level of Standing Committee of the Parliament.” Citizens for Social Justice see the draconian clauses in Team Anna’s version of Jan Lokpal Bill and it is dangerous once it becomes the law. Team Ann’s version of Civil Societies against corruption projected by English media does not represent the whole nation. It was rich, middle and upper caste societies, where the members of SC/ST, OBC and minorities not included. Dr. Joseph D’souza, President of All India Christian Council, a member of Citizens for Social Justice says, “We the Citizens for Social Justice write to Parliamentarians demanding that the Lokpal Bill should go to the people during 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Political parties should take their version of their Lokpal Bill and so should Team Anna and see if the whole nation is with their version of the Bill as claimed by them and the English media and the corporate houses which are funding them.” The text of the letter to Hon’ble Union Ministers, Political Leaders and MPs are enclosed: Dear Hon’ble Union Ministers, Political Leaders and Members of Parliament As you are aware that the debate about instituting a strong and constitutionally viable Lokpal has become contentious. We the undersigned citizens for Social Justice feel that that the Team Anna’s Lokpal Bill has not only draconian clauses but subtly aimed at marginalizing the social forces that are slowly but surely coming to the centre stage of our socio-political system. The SC/STs have been coming into parliament and higher level Government jobs because of the reservation system that the architect of Indian Constitution Dr. B.R. Ambedkar put in place. Subsequently the Other Backward Classes and Minorities are getting some place because of certain positive protective measures of the Government of India and the state Governments. If the Team Anna kind of anti-reservationists were to control the portal of power in those days in the name of civil societal power of the middle class, they would have completely opposed reservations. Since Mahatma Gandhi and Pundit Nehru were sensitive to the cause they allowed Ambedkar to put a radically rapturous constitution in place. The Team Anna with the force of an invisible hand is now trying to dismantle the constitution and the structures of parliament. We all oppose corruption with all the might at our disposal. But we do not want that the outside forces like the Team Anna Hazare to blackmail the system and get their way through even at the level of Standing Committee of the Parliament. What ever Bill the Standing Committee puts before both the Houses of the Parliament which ever political party agrees with the Standing Committee’s Draft Bill such parties can adopt that Bill as part of their Election Manifesto in 2014 general elections. Those who do not agree with the SCP’s Draft Bill they can put their own Bill before the electorate as part of their manifesto. Even the so called mightiest Team Anna can put its own Bill before the entire nation’s electorate and get a majority elected by using their media and civil societal power. Then they will legitimately have the power to create their own Lokpal. We therefore urge upon you not to be swayed away by the media and Team Anna, which seem to have a larger agenda than corruption and pass the bill in the parliament before 2014 General Elections. Within these two and half years the existing laws and institutions to curb corruption must be used without any compromise. If any draconian clauses of the Jan Lokpal get into the Bill and that Bill becomes the law the credibility of parliament will be lost. This law will definitely hamper and stop the upward mobility of the lower castes and minorities and is designed as such. Corruption and Caste Discrimination has a strong linkage in our society. We request you to keep this dimension in mind when you discuss the Lokpal Bill in future. All their designs must get exposed before the mightiest force of the nation---the electorate. The Citizens of Social Justice is an alliance of SCs, STs, OBCs and Minority religious communities. Signed by: Prof. Kancha Ilaiah - Director for the study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad Dr. Joseph D’ Souza - President - All India Christian Council Mr. Asifuddin Muhammed - President, Islamic Academy for Comparative Religion Dr. John Dayal – Member, National Integration Council Dr. Udit Raj- Chairman, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations Mr. Vidya Bhushan Rawat – Human Rights Activist, Delhi Ms. Cynthia Stephen, Independent Researcher and writer, Bangalore Madhu Chandra Singh – Spokesperson of North East Support Centre and helpline All India Christian Council Forum For Empowerment of Weaker Sections Andhra Pradesh Mahatma Jotirao Phule Academy Andhra Pradesh The Citizens of Social Justice is an alliance of SCs, STs, OBCs and Minority religious who are concerned about social fascism that attempts to assaults on Indian secularism and democracy. Released by Madhu Chandra PRO – aicc, New Delhi +919716004939