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

Sun Aug 22 21:26:12 IST 2010

Dear Shuddha,

My reply was to the statement mentioned "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.". the reason
given to form this organization was baseless. 

It is good that ANHAD concern about the Kashmir people suffered in the
recent protest and so we all are concerned. But, what is the root of this
protest? Have they ever blamed Pak terrorist organization/ISI mainly culprit
for all this things. Have they ever blamed separatists there in Kashmir
mainly responsible for disturbances all these days?

Why you say only BJP reminds Kashmir as "inalienable part of the Indian
union. Everyone including congress and PM says that. Do you have doubt about
the Kashmir, a part of India? 

Thanks

Bipin Trivedi

From: Shuddhabrata Sengupta [mailto:shuddha at sarai.net] 
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 6:22 PM
To: Bipin Trivedi
Cc: 'gowhar fazli'; sarai-list
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] ANHAD seeks apology from BJP for appropriation of
a Kashmir Protest Image

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