[Reader-list] ANHAD seeks apology from BJP for appropriation of a Kashmir Protest Image

Sun Aug 22 18:22:07 IST 2010

Dear Bipin,

I am intrigued, and confused.

  if, as you say, the very reason for the formation of an  
organization like Anhad is 'baseless', then, why should the BJP seek  
to use an image of a demonstration by this 'baseless' organization,  
for a cause that you again say is 'baseless' ( "...allegation against  
violation by security forces is baseless" ) in order to promote its  
own important agenda on Kashmir?

The BJP is an important national party, and I am sure it must have a  
significant presence,  and a popular 'base' (as befits a national  
party of its stature) in the territory of the Kashmir valley, which,  
as the BJP reminds us, is an 'inalienable part of the Indian union'.

Surely there are millions of Kashmiris in the Kashmir valley who  
would readily rally to the BJP's clarion call for even more security  
forces in the valley, and for lofty ideals like the abrogation of  
article 370. Can't the BJP simply use a photograph from such an  
event, where millions of patriotic Kashmiris are forcefully and  
sincerely chanting "Indian Forces kill more Kashmiris" in order to  
decorate its advertisement.

Why must it resort to this low and unbecoming trick of filching a  
photograph of a 'baseless' demonstration by a 'baseless' organization  
for a 'baseless' cause in order to communicate its own priceless  
message?

Or is this how a party with a 'difference' demonstrates its difference?

I remain confused, I hope you will clarify my confusion,

best regards

Shuddha

On 22-Aug-10, at 11:09 AM, Bipin Trivedi wrote:

> Dear Gowhar,
>
> The reason given for the formation of ANHAD itself is baseless.  
> They says that it was formed for hatred ideology shown by SANGH  
> after 2002 Gujarat carnage. First of all there is no any such  
> hatred exists from any corner either from SANGH or BJP. So, don't  
> give excuse or wrong reason to form NGO. So many NGO are working  
> and this is one more. Let it be.
>
> What about the protester in Kashmir proved to be instigated from  
> across the border? So, allegation against violation by security  
> forces is baseless. They doing there duty to restore piece, which  
> they do everywhere in caase of protest. As a NGO, why they are not  
> protesting against Pak for their mischief since years? Why don't  
> they protest against Kashmir separatists fully responsible for  
> violence since years? Such biased behavior of NGO looses the  
> credibility and no right to blame anyone unless they change  
> themselves and act neutrally.
>
> J&K is border state and there is no question to remove army/ 
> security forces from there. If anyone suggests or think that way is  
> fool.
>
> Thanks
> Bipin Trivedi
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reader-list-bounces at sarai.net [mailto:reader-list- 
> bounces at sarai.net] On Behalf Of gowhar fazli
> Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 8:37 AM
> To: reader-list at sarai.net
> Subject: [Reader-list] ANHAD seeks apology from BJP for  
> appropriation of a Kashmir Protest Image
>
> Wonder if anyone has access to the advertisement.  This would be  
> interesting.
>  The drama is endless.
>
> http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/anhad-seeks-apology-from- 
> bjp-553.aspx
>
>
>
> ANHAD seeks apology from BJP
>
>
> Rising Kashmir News
> Srinagar, August21: Shabnam Hashmi, managing trustee of ANHAD, a
> Non-governmental organization, has written a letter to Bhartiya  
> Janata Party and
> expressed shock over the usage of a photograph of an ANHAD  
> demonstration by BJP
> in its “Kashmir Bachao Divas” which was organized by BJP today at  
> Mavlankar
> Auditorium, Constitution Club, New Delhi.
>
>
>
>
> “I am absolutely shocked to see a BJP advertisement issued in the  
> Indian Express
> on 20.8.2010 and Navbharat Times on 21.8.2010 wherein a photograph  
> of an ANHAD
> demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi held on 8.7.10 has been  
> misused,” it
> was written in the letter sent by Hashmi to BJP President,Gadkari.
>
> ANHAD, was formed in 2003 in response to the hate ideology of the  
> Sangh Parivar
> displayed during the Gujarat carnage of 2002, is an anti communal  
> organization.
>
> “To use our photograph in your advertisement is not only an insult  
> to ANHAD, but
> it also grossly defames our organization because it seems to  
> suggest that Anhad
> has given the consent to BJP to use the photograph of its  
> demonstration. Nothing
> could be further from the truth.
> “The demonstration organized by ANHAD was specifically regarding  
> the excessive
> acts of violence by the security forces in Kashmir.  This is in  
> total contrast
> to the BJP meeting which is unconcerned about the plight of the  
> people of
> Kashmir and looks at the issue as a law and order problem and calls  
> for even
> more severe repression by the use of security forces,” the letter  
> read.
> ANHAD in the letter said that it is highly defamatory, illegal and  
> unethical on
> part of BJP to use its material without any permission and  
> criticized BJP for
> the “total ideological bankruptcy.”
>
>
> “We call upon the BJP to issue an advertisement of equal size in  
> all the
> newspapers in which this advertisement has appeared apologizing for  
> the use of
> that photograph and stating therein that ANHAD and the persons who  
> are shown in
> the photograph have nothing to do with the BJP,” the letter read.
>
>
>
>
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Shuddhabrata Sengupta
The Sarai Programme at CSDS
Raqs Media Collective
shuddha at sarai.net
www.sarai.net
www.raqsmediacollective.net