[Reader-list] Anhad initiative

[monica at mail.sarai.net]

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anhadinfo at yahoo.co.in

 

Dear Friends,

                      We are happy to announce the formation of ANHAD (information pasted below).

 Please do let us know if you would like to:

 Receive regular information about Anhad?s activities. If you do then please send us your full name, complete postal address, telephone, fax and e-mail id.

   Contribute to Anhad as a resource person, please indicate the subject, area of interest; 
   Receive information about activities in your state/ country (in case of Indian diaspora) ; 
   Contribute / send donations towards Anhad?s work (from within India : individual and institutional donations); 
   Contribute time as a volunteer

 

Anhad office would start functioning from the first week of April in New Delhi. We would be able to respond to your queries/ replies after the first week of April.

 In Solidarity

 KN Panikkar                 Shubha Mudgal             Harsh Mander                        Shabnam Hashmi

 anhadinfo at yahoo.co.in

March 20, 2003

ANHAD

The urgency to intervene in defense of democracy, secularism and justice has never been more pressing than in the conditions prevailing in the country today. There is a recognizable change in the general tenure of public discourse; unlike in the past, it is informed more by the communal than by secular ethos. The prejudices against the minorities are widely shared as a result of motivated and sustained propaganda. Those who claim to be secular are forced on the back foot; some of them have increasingly become compromising or even silent. In the face of social mobilization attempted by communal organizations by invoking religious symbols and sentiments the civil society has come under a siege. Nevertheless, it is evident from the large number of secular democratic initiatives by political parties, voluntary organizations and individuals that the society is seized of the need for sustained and constructive action for strengthening secularism and democracy and for realising justice and peace. Their number and strength are not inconsequential. Yet, the communal appears to be poised to conquer. It is therefore necessary to energize the secular forces by a conscious regrouping and co-operation. ANHAD is intended to be a modest attempt in this direction.

 ANHAD is neither a structured organization nor a movement capable of large-scale popular mobilisation. It would, however, try to combine the elements of both by collaborating with existing organizations and movements and by undertaking local level activities, by instituting small secular communities. The former would enable ANHAD to develop creative co-operation with people?s organizations and social movements working in different areas of social, cultural and political concerns, the latter would open up for secular mobilisation the space hitherto uncolonised by communalism. There will be no formal membership; all are welcome to participate on a voluntary basis. The activities of ANHAD would be overseen by a working group and would be advised by a national committee of eminent citizens.

 Like any other voluntary organisation the work of ANHAD would also evolve with experience. Yet, some areas have been identified for initial involvement. They are cultural action, social mobilisation, defense of civil liberties and work in the diaspora. The cultural action is conceived as intervention in daily life practices through popular and folk culture, syncretic and tolerance systems of faith and the building of communities invested in pluralism, while challenging hatred, obscurantism and superstition.

The social mobilisation would be attempted both through demonstrative actions like jathas and constructive work organized around youth and women?s clubs. The defense of civil liberties would include legal action for defending the rights of minorities, dalits, tribals and women. The work with the diaspora, particularly creating secular consciousness among them, assumes great importance in the light of the sustained communal propaganda among them. In short ANHAD would like to undertake grass root level activities, with the support and collaboration of the existing organizations wherever possible and if not, by initiating work on its own through volunteers. The emphasis is on constructive and continuous activity, which would create and sustain secular and democratic consciousness.

 ANHAD would like to bring at least a major part of the country under its umbrella, which would obviously take quite some time to achieve. Therefore it would begin its activities in four states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgardh. During the course of the year Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka and Kashmir would be added. In all these states the endeavour would be to create a fraternity of secular activists who would through their interaction with the local people bring into being small secular communities for ensuring peace and social understanding. Each locality would have its own peculiarities in cultural practices and social relations, which would be given particular attention while organizing the activities of ANHAD. 

ANHAD means without limits. We envisage it as an inclusive institution in which every one who stands for democracy, secularism, justice and peace can participate.

 Become a friend of Anhad, a volunteer worker, a financial contributor, a resource person. There are a hundred ways of being a part of Anhad, it is for you to decide your role in this effort. Just remember one thing-now is the time to act, tomorrow may be too late.
Send e-mail to : anhadinfo at yahoo.co.in 
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