By Purushottam Nayak
Bhubaneswar, March 25, 2023: Kandhamal Human Rights Awards for activists and groups in defence of human rights, democracy and secularism in India were presented March 23 at Bhubaneswar, capital of the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
The Award for individual category has gone to Shakil Ahmed, a human rights lawyer and peace activist based in Mumbai, western India,
The award for organization was presented to the National Alliance of People’s Movements – an umbrella organization for people’s movements and organisations.
Himanshu Kumar, founder of the Vanvasi Chetna Ashram (hermitage for creating awareness among tribals), a well-known Gandhian activist, received the award for special honor.
Another special honor has gone to the Kandhamal Survivors’ Association, a platform of survivors of the 2008 Kandhamal violence that is engaged in peace and communal harmony.
The award to an individual comprises a cash prize of 25,000 rupees and a plaque.
The award for non-governmental organisations and groups recognizes long and sustained work on issues of human rights and civil liberties, development, harmony and peace building
The awards aims to honor the victims and survivors of the mass violence against Adivasi and Dalit Christians of Kandhamal and several districts in Odisha, and in the southern Indian state of Karnataka during August-September 2008.
The National Solidarity Forum honors two eminent individuals and two reputed organizations annually for their tremendous work in the promotion of human rights, social justice, secular and democratic values in our country.
The forum was constituted by more than 70 organizations and groups that came together in the wake of the violence, and worked on various issues related to trauma, counselling, rehabilitation and advocacy for justice. NSF commemorates the Kandhamal Day on August 25 every year with mass meetings in Kandhamal, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi and other places.
The Kandhamal violence killed more than 100 Christians, subjected 40 women to rape or molestation and displaced around 75,000 people, including priests and nuns. More than 360 churches, places of worship and public institutions were destroyed and looted. Education of 12,000 children was disrupted. Several cases of forced conversion to Hinduism were reported.
A study conducted by Supreme Court lawyer Vrinda Grover and professor of law Saumya Uma reported that the conviction rate was as low as 5.13 percent.
“Kandhamal human rights award are given to persons or institutions who have given everything for the cause of the rights of people. For those who work relentlessly for peace and justice in the society.” says Ram Puniyani, National Solidairt Forum (NSF) convenor.
Kedar Mishra, a senior journalist and author, Bhubaneswar, regrets that political opposition is viewed as illegal in the country where justice has become a joke as anybody could be detained anytime.
Father Ajay Kumar Singh, one of the promoters of Kandhamal human rights, says the anti-conversion laws in 10 states are unlawful. The law “treats the citizens in unequal manner. The minority communities, particularly, Christian and Islam, are discriminated. Their religious and social gatherings are obstructed,” he added.
Medha Patkar, founder of the National Alliance of People’s Movements and Narmada Bacho Andolan, says she sad whenever an award receiving event takes place.
“All around there’s human rights violation going on. There’s a movement to destroy the constitution of India. The Kandhamal violence reminded us Gujarat riot. Today, throughout India there’s the atmosphere of violence. Minority community members, Dalit people, tribal people, are attacked, women not safe. Basic needs of the poor are not given importance in the government planning and program. There’s a need for collective efforts to fight against hatred and work for fraternity in the communities and country,” she asserted.
The award jury members were Padmashree Sayeeda Hamida, former Planning Commission Member, V Suresh, a Chennai-based lawyer and the national general secretary of People’s Union for Civil Liberties, and Henri, executive director of People Watch, Madurai, and chairman of Asia-Forum.
The promoters of awards are Puniyani, John Dayal, a veteran journalist in New Delhi, Irfaan Engineer, Mumbai, Brinelle D’Souza of Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Science, Vidya Dinker, of Mangaluru and K P Sasi of who died on Christmas 2022, Stanley William of Chennai/Hyderabad, Dhirendra Panda, Father Singh, Bhubaneswar,