Statement on Home Ministry’s autocratic actions against INSAF

7/30/2019 Statement on Home Ministrys autocratic actions against INSAF

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Statement on Home Ministrys autocratic actions against INSAF

We the undersigned are shocked and dismayed at the Government of India's action aga

INSAF, a national coalition of 700 people's movements, social action groups and progress

intellectuals with an active presence in 15 States of India. According to a communication fro

the Home Ministry dated 30th April 2013, the INSAF bank account has been froze

because its activities are prejudicial to the public interest.

Over the last few years, INSAF has established its identity as a platform where independent a

autonomous secular and democratic groups can come together in pursuit of their common aims

protecting democracy, resisting iniquitous forms of globalisation and combating communalism

INSAF members have been in the forefront of democratic protests against religio

fundamentalism and communal violence. INSAF has consistently highlighted and oppo

violations of human rights irrespective of whether they are perpetrated by state agenc

corporations or political parties. INSAF is noteworthy for its rapid response to human rig

violations in remote and isolated areas of the country, bringing them to the attention of other gro

and networks as well as making visible their connections to and impact on wider social, politic

and economic processes.

INSAF has made important interventions in public debates on issues of national concern includ

land grabs by Indian companies in Africa, violations of technical and statutory norms in respec

mining, deforestation and nuclear energy generation projects, in the deployment of black la

such as AFSPA against human rights defenders and with respect to State violence against Dal

Adivasis and minority religious groups.

Far from being prejudicial to the national interest, INSAF's work has expanded the space

those affected by state policies thereby helping them to bring their issues to national attention,

for those affected to claim their democratic right to intervene in and influence the course of natiodevelopment.

INSAF has been among the most vocal critics of the recent changes in the legal and regula

framework aimed at criminalising those who question the authority of the state or challenge

policies. INSAF has petitioned the Supreme Court to knock down the new FCRA Rules that g

the government unchecked and unbridled powers to throttle the activities of organisations work

for public causes by branding them "political" and blocking their access to foreign funds.

The INSAF petition highlights the draconian nature of Rule 3(vi) which debars NGOs from poli

actions. Under these Rules, the government arrogates to itself the power to take action aga

any group that habitually indulges in bandhs, hartals, rasta roko, rail roko, or jail bharo non-violent and democratic forms of protest and assertion that emerged from our freedom strug

and are now recognised around the world as legitimate forms of protest. This ridiculous rule can

used against almost any of the organisations that support rights-based mobilisation of practic

any group women, landless farmers, Adivasis and Dalits, students, minorities irrespective

whether they are, or are not, aligned to any political party.

Ironically, action has been taken using powers under Section 13 of the new FCRA Act aga

the only organisation challenging the Home Ministry!


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The action against INSAF is yet another attempt by the state to undermine the democrati

process and dismantle Constitutional guarantees of rights and freedoms under th

pretence of national security and national interest. We stand with INSAF in assertin

the Constitutional right of every citizen of India to participation in governance, whic

includes the right to question, challenge and oppose the policies of the state throug

peaceful, non-violent and democratic means.

1. Vasanth Kannabiran

2. Farah Naqvi, Writer and Activist, Delhi

3. Amita Joseph

4. Admiral L Ramdas

5. Lalitha Ramdas

6. Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh

7. Praful Bidwai

8. Kamal Mitra Chenoy

9. Anuradha Chenoy

10. V.S. Roy David, National Convener,National Adivasi Alliance

11. Ram Puniyani

12. Achin Vanaik, former Dean of Social Sciences, Delhi University

13. Saktiman Ghosh, National Hawker Federation

14. Gautam Bandyopadhyay, Nadi Ghati Morcha

15. Gautam Navlakha

16. Anand Swaroop Verma

17. Sandeep Pandey, Socialist Party (India)

18. Anand Teltumbde, Mumbai

19. T Peter, National Fishworkers Forum

20. Vinod Raina, Alternatives Asia

21. Manisha Sethi, JTSA

22. Adv Kamayani Bali Mahabal

23. Ranjana Padhi, PUDR, New Delhi

24. Soumya Dutta, Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha

25. Anuradha Mittal, The Oakland Institute, USA

26. Pierre Rousset, Europe Solidaire Sans Frontires (ESSF), France

27. Tina Ebro, Asia Coordinator, Asia Europe Peoples Forum (AEPF), Philippines.

28. Eric Toussaint, Committee for the Abolition of Third World Debt ( CADTM), Belgium

29. Kalyani Menon Sen

30. Karuna Raina, Greenpeace India

31. Vijay Pratap, Socialist Front

32. Rayyan Hassan, NGO Forum on ADB, Philippines


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33. Hemantha Withanage, Friends of the Earth, Sri Lanka

34. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, KAMP -Campaign for a Life of Dignity for All, Philippines

35. Tamil Solidarity- For the rights of all workers and oppressed in Sri Lanka.

36. Peoples Solidarity Concerns-Bangalore

37. Maria Theresa Nera-Lauron, Peoples Movement on Climate Change, Philippines

38. V Thirunavukkarasu, Politbureau member,NSSP

39. Mick Armstrong, Socialist Alternative, Australia

40. AK Mary

41. Dr. Malem Ningthouja, Campaign for Peace &Democracy India

42. Debjit Dutta, Kolkata

43. Sushovan Dhar, Radical Socialist

44. Bodhisatwa Ray, Radical Socialist

45. Pratip Nag, Radical Socialist

46. P. Joseph Victor Raj, State Convener, Puducherry Environment Council (PUDENCO)

47. Ashuman singh, NAGARIK ADHIKAR SANGATHAN , SITAPUR

48. Harishankar Gupta, SHARADA KATAN SANGHARSH SAMITI , SITAPUR

49. Danielle Sabai, France

50. J. Vincent Manoharan, Chair NFDLRM, Delhi

51. Nandini Oza,Pune.

52. Prof. A.K.Maleri, Distt. President, Association For Democratic Rights, Punjab

53. Ratan Bhandari, Nepal

54. Rajeev Ahal

55. Henri Tiphagne, Honorary National Working Secretary,All India Network of Individuals and NGOs working with

National / State Human Rights Institutions [ AiNNI]

56. Human Rights Defenders Alert India [HRDA]

57. Saheli, New Delhi

58. N.K.JEET Advocate, Advisor, Lok Morcha Punjab, District Courts Bathinda.

59. Myriam Bourgy (General Secretary - CADTM), Belgium

60. Arvind Sivaramakrishnan

61. Tanushree Gangopadhyay,Mediaperson, Gujarat

62. M. V. Ramana

63. Burnad Fatima

64. Sharmila Karki

65. Jagaran Nepal

66. Kaveri R I, Bengaluru

67. Society and Law, Tajikistan

68. Jubilee South - Asia/Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (JSAPMDD)

69. Satya Sivaraman

70. Prasad Chacko, Human Development and Research Centre, Ahmedabad


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71. Ashish Awasthi, Lucknow

72. Sreedhar, Mines Minerals & People (MmP)

73. Keshab Khadka, All Nepal Peasants Federation (ANPFa)

74. Hozefa Ujjaini, Gujarat

75. Clarissa V. Militante, Philippines

76. Armando Popa

77. Damodar For a Peoples Democracy

78. Karen Orenstein, USA

79. Shabnam Hashmi, Anhad

80. Dr. Daya R. Varma MD, PhD, Professor Emeritus,McGill University,Montreal, Canada

81. Biju Negi

82. Anil Chamadia

83. S Raghavan, President, Lok Raj Sangathan

84. New Socialist Alternative (CWI-India)

85. Sonaki Roy

86. Savad Rahman, Journalist, Kerala

87. Noorjahan, BMMA

88. Vidya Dinker, Citizens Forum, Mangalore

89. Azamattyk Kuryltay - The citizens assembly , Kazakistan

90. Earth in Brackets

91. Akhil K. Srivastava, Managing Trustee, Antardrishti

92. Food & Water Watch, U.S

93. Nandini Sundar

94. Richard Macwan

95. Migrant Forum in Asia

96. Rathod Dahyabhai K

97. Prafulla Samantara, Lok Shakti Abhiyan

98. Vijay Bharatiya, South Asia Peace Alliance

99. Rita Roy, South Asia Peace Alliance

100. Dodarbek Saydaliev, Director, CSSC Shahrvand

101. Gulmairam Egemberdieva, PF DCCA

102. CHRD, Mongolia

103. National NGO Forum on Development and Cooperation, Mongolia

104. Dilorom Atabaeva, Consortium of Initiatives, Tajikistan

105. Runu Chakraborty

106. Ashok Choudhury, NFFPFW

107. Babloo Loitongbam, Human Rights Alert

108. Avinash Kumar

109. Bakhadur Khabibov, Consumers Union of Tajikistan


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110. Subhash Gatade, New Socialist Initiative

111. Antony Arulraj

112. Sharmila Karki, Chairperson, Jagaran Nepal

113. Amalendu Upadhyaya - Editor- hastakshep.com

114. Feroze Mithiborwala

115. DIALOGUE 2000 - JUBILEE SOUTH ARGENTINA

116. Feroze Ahmed, Kashmir

117. Buta Singh

118. A.K.ARUN, Editor in Chief -YUVA SAMVAD

119. Jothi SJ, Kolkata

120. Saeed Baloch, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Pakistan

121. Dr. Virendra Vidrohi Pradesh Sarvodaya mandal Rajasthan

122. Maulana Hanif Jamin Bachao Aandolan Alwar

123. Ashok Mathur, ACTION Bikaner

124. Dinesh Sharma Vedkumari Trust Alwar

125. Kumar Sundaram, New Delhi

126. Sarba Raj Khadka, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), Nepal

127. Prashant K Anthony, Peoples Responsible Organisation of United Dharavi(PROUD).

128. Nikhat Fatima, Hyderabad

129. Maharashtra Rajya Suraksha rakshak Kamgar sanghatan Sanghatna, Nagpur

130. Daniel Mazgaonkar, Sarvodaya Activist, Mumbai

131. National Trade Union Movement of Nepal, General Federation of Nepalese trade Unions (GEFONT-Nepal)

132. Abhishek Srivastava

133. Afsar Jafri

134. Ali Asghar, Convenor Hyderabad Aman Manch (HAM)

135. Aliza Yuliana, Solidaritas Perempuan Indonesia

136. Anil Chaudhary

137. Anivar Aravind

138. Hiren Gandhi, Ahmedabad

139. Maris Della Cruz-Cardenas, Secretariat Head, Asia Europe Peoples Forum (AEPF), Philippines.

140. Mary Ann Manahan, Philippines

141. Pradeep Esteves, Bangalore

142. Prakash K Ray, bargad.org

143. Pritarani Jha, Peace and Equality cell , Gujarat.

144. Rajendra Ravi

145. Ranjan Panda, WIO

146. Renu Singh, Coalition for GM Free India

147. Renu, New Socialist Initiative (NSI)

148. S.Kumar


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149. Sanjeev Chandan

150. Sanjeev Kumar, Delhi Forum

151. Saroop Dhruv, Ahmedabad

152. Satyam Srivastava, SRUTI

153. Seela M

154. Shalini Gera, CMM

155. Shree Prakash, Convener, UDFI, Indore (MP)

156. Shreya Jani

157. Shripad Dharmadhikary, Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, Badwani (MP) & Pune (MH)

158. Shweta Tripathi, SRUTI

159. Sohaib Ahmed, JTSA

160. Stan Swamy & colleagues, Jharkhand Bachao Andolan

161. Chhatisgadi kalayan sanstha, Nagpur

162. Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Chairperson, INSEC, Nepal

163. Sudha Varghese- Bihar

164. Sukla Sen, Mumbai

165. Sumesh Mangalassery , KABANI - the other direction

166. Tarun Kanti Bose

167. Gopal Krishna

168. Tridib Reeves

169. Trisha Agarwala

170. Uma V Chandru, PUCL-Bangalore

171. Vidula Ramabai

172. Vilas Sukhadeve

173. Vinay Bhat, Santa Clara, CA, USA

174. Gharelu Kamgar Molkarni Sanghatna, Nagpur

175. Zohrab Ismayilov, PAAFE (Azerbaijan)

176. Anjuman Ara Begum, Guwahati

177. Arundhati Dhuru, National Alliance of Peoples Movements

178. Asad Zaidi, Writer and Publisher

179. Ashim Jain

180. Ashok Dube, President, Roopankan, Indore (MP)

181. Badrul Alam, Bangladesh Krishok Federation

182. N.M.C Evajdar Kamgar Sanghatna, Nagpur

183. Balaji Narasimhan

184. Benny Benedict, ViBGYOR Film Festival Collective

185. Bezwada Wilson, Human Rights Activist

186. Bhasha, Jan Sanskriti Manch

187. Bhupen Singh


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188. Bipin Kumar Rai

189. Bondita Acharya, Purva Bharati Educational Trust, Wing-Assam

190. Dharmender, Lokadhikar

191. Dr. Lubna Sarwath, Economist & Activist, Hyderabad

192. Dunu Roy, Hazards Centre

193. Fr. Cedric Prakash sj, PRASHANT, Ahmedabad

194. G.Manicandan, Forum Against FTAs

195. George M K

196. Hasan Mehedi, Humanitywatch

197. Imran Ali, Advocate

198. Irfan Ahmed, Lok Manch (Bihar)

199. Jammu Anand, Nagpur

200. Jitendra Chahar

201. Jyotilal Longjam

202. N.M.C Evajdar Kamgar Sanghatna, Nagpur

203. Khedut Mazdoor Chetna Sangath, Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

204. Krishnakant, NAPM (Gujarat)

205. Mahi Pal Singh

206. Mahtab Alam

207. Manisha Lath, SRUTI

208. N.M.C Employees Union Sanghatna, Nagpur

209. Manohar Elavarthi, Joint Secretary,Praja Rajakiya Vedike,Bangalore

210. Mansi Sharma

211. Maya Eralieva, Samdhana fellow, Kyrgyzstan

212. Md. Abbas Ansari

213. Nishank, Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA)

214. P.T.George

215. Panini Anand, Outlook magazine

216. Piyush Manush, Salem, Tamil Nadu

217. Arun Khote, PMARC

218. Tanushree Gangopadhyay

219. N.M.C Thekedar Kamgar Sanghatna, Nagpur

220. Ramesh Pimple, Film maker

221. Peoples Institute for Development and Training, New Delhi

222. Madhuresh Kumar

223. Benny Kuruvilla

224. Sirish Agarwal

225. Dr.Prakash Louis

226. Pravin Patel


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227. Guman Singh

228. Xavier Dias, Editor, Khan Kaneej Aur ADHIKAR (Mines minerals & RIGHTS)

229. Kruha-Indonesia

230. Shashkiya Karmachari Sanghatna, Nagpur

231. Diana Gulton, DEBTWATCH, Indonesia

232. Zohrab Ismayilov, PAAFE (Azerbaijan)

233. HASAN MEHEDI, Humanitywatch, Bangladesh

234. Badrul Alam, Bangladesh Krishok Federation

235. M. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Equity BD, Bangladesh

236. Ghanshyam Shah

237. Edwin, OpenSpace

238. Anti Debt Coalition-INDONESIA

239. Souparna Lahiri, All India Forum of Forest Movements (AIFFM)

240. Utkarsh Kumar Sinha, Center for Contemporary Studies & Research, Lucknow

241. SANLAKAS Philippines

242. DIS Suraksha Rakshak Kamagar Sanghatna, Nagpur

243. Freedom From Debt Coalition Philippines

244. Vaishali Raj Patil, Ankur

245. Qiqo Punzalan Simbol, Thailand

246. Shubhradeep Chakravorty

247. Jiten Yumnam, Co-Convenor, Committee on Natural Resources Protection in Manipur

248. Tasneem Q Khan

249. Joe Athialy

250. Ecologistas en Accin (Spain)

251. Mamata Dash, Delhi

252. Dorothy-Grace M. Guerrero, Thailand

253. Muatar Khayadarova, Society and Law

254. Piyush Pant, Editor, Lok Samvad

255. Andrew de Sousa, Thailand

256. Ashish Ghosh

257. Ashok Agrwaal, Advocate, Committee for Information and Initiative on Punjab

258. Nagendra Singh

259. Dr.Michael Martin,Social Activist,Gujarat

260. Fatima.N, Tamil Nadu Dalit Womens Movement.

261. Ikrom Mamadov, YGPE (Tajikistan)

262. Arun Kumar Singh

263. Vineet Tiwari, MP PWA.

264. Sujata Gothoskar

265. G. Gautama, Chennai


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266. N.M.C Parwana Dharak Plumber Sangh, Nagpur

267. Rita Manchanda

268. Ravi Hemadri

269. Farooq Tariq - Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee

270. V T Padmanabhan

271. Antonio Villavicencio, Ecuador

272. Toni Leino, Finland

273. Ish Mishra

274. Nasim Ansari, UP

275. Samit Carr, Jamshedpur

276. Amanul Haq, Bangladesh

277. Melba Tutor, Philippines

278. Mahesh Mishra, Mumbai

279. Nayanika Chattopadhyay

280. Gururaja Budhya

281. Kunal Chattopadhyay

282. Aparajita Sharma

283. Lankesh Chakravarty

284. John Dsouza, Bangalore

285. Rajendra Nath, France

286. Anuradha Talwar, Kolkata

287. Ishteyaque Ahmad

288. Himanshu Thakkar

289. Wanda Ballentine (USA)

290. Diana Roa (Philippines)

291. Rahul Banerjee

292. Umakant Chaubey, JNU

293. Kris Vanslambrouck, Belgium

294. Feroz Mehdi, Canada

295. Sunil Yadav

296. Karen Joyner

297. Jagdish Vetale

298. Priyanka Choubey

299. Anita Dixit

300. Abhilash Babu

301. Ashok Shrimali

302. Sameer Dossani

303. All Nepal Women's Association (ANWA)

304. S. Adamyan, Center of Bird Lovers, Armenia


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305. Asia Pacific Research Network

306. Dr.Mohammad Arif, Centre for Harmony and Peace

307. Sanjeev Singh, Vancouver, Canada

308. D.Leena, Legal Consultant, Delhi

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Statement on Home Ministry’s autocratic actions against INSAF