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Friday, December 25, 2009

STRAIGHT FROM THE HEARTLAND OF DANTEWADA: WHY THERE IS NO MEDIA COVERAGE AT ALL ABOUT TRIBAL RAPE VICTIMS??? WILL CHIDAMBARAM ANSWER PLEASE?

STRAIGHT FROM THE HEARTLAND OF DANTEWADA: WHY THERE IS NO MEDIA COVERAGE AT ALL ABOUT TRIBAL RAPE VICTIMS??? WILL CHIDAMBARAM ANSWER PLEASE? WILL THE NCW ORDER AN IMMEDIATE ACTION? (26th Dec 2009, 1250 Hrs)

While the whole nation (NGOs, Media channels, NCW, Political leaders & public) is fighting for justice for Ruchika Girhotra to nail the molester DGP S.P.S. Rathore, it is really sad that there is no mention at all about the unfortunate 4 tribal adivasi girls, who were raped by SPOs (Special Police Officers appointed by State Police) a week ago, jailed for five long days and finally released on threats. Yes, a rich man’s girl was molested by a DGP, commits suicide 19 years ago becomes a sensational news item for the whole nation to get glued to the idiot box, but 4 poor adivasi girls’ plight of being raped repeatedly by the law enforcer doesn’t even make a small snippets in our National Media…. It is a SHAME in big capital letters…

Himanshu Kumar of Vanvashi Chetna Aashram (VCA) reveals, “On 22nd December, my loyal friend and a member of VCA Kopa Kunjam was framed in a false murder case and jailed by the police. Kopa is a fearless social activist, who is very popular among the adivasis, for he fights for their rights and working tirelessly day and night for their proper re-settlement. I met these four girls on 25th December, who are scared to death of various consequences after they have been raped by SPOs. After I flashed SMS the SPOs have taken their ‘thumb impression’ on blank papers, the girls were again picked up by the police and kept in jail of Dornapal Police Station for 5 more days. They were finally released on 24th December. How long shall we keep mum on such ghastly crimes by the authorities?”

Will Girija Vyas, Chairperson of National Commission for Women, Home Minister Chidambaram, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Electronic Media fight for justice of the tribal rape victims? Will they explain as to why such ghastly acts are not even making a small news item in National Dailies and News Channels? Why there is complete silence and total blanket in media about the ground realities of Dantewada region in Chattisgarh? All the above mentioned higher authorities are equally responsible for all the rapes of innocent tribal women in these tribal areas… where are their CONSCIENCE? Will they keep mum when their own daughters will be raped by police officials?

There are approximately more than 30,000 Police and Special Forces and very surprisingly 40 to 50 media persons moving in and around the area in swanky cars and vans. When I asked Himanshu Kumar as to why there is no report on such ghastly acts, he states, “Media is here but no surprises at all as to why the real news is not aired or telecasted on National News Channels. Government policies are very clear to support the rich industrialists to have these rich mineral lands, so tribals women are raped, their homes burnt, beaten and threatened by police forces at the behest of our own government. Media persons roam around the areas in swanky cars and vans but they don’t report the realities for two reasons: 1 – Fear of government authorities as they would be also labeled Naxals and 2 - They may not get ad revenues for their respective channels and dailies. It is sad because while the tribals are being treated badly and made homeless, these media people are only concerned about their ad revenues.”

While Himanshu Kumar’s indefinite hunger strike from 26th December is going unnoticed by the National media, corrupt political leader KCR’s hunger strike has created chaos for a separate Telangana in Andhra Pradesh. However, he says, “I am not demanding anything from the government with my indefinite fast. It is the only way to protest against the State for blocking the 14th December Padyatra and requesting all of us to look inwards and seek justice in our own eyes.”

May I request the media to highlight the plight of the rape victims in Dantewada Tribal Regions? The media should be responsible to report the ground realities of such ghastly acts, which is happening under the behest and full knowledge of Home Minister Chidambaram. While the NGO Vanvashi Chetna Aashram’s 65 members are working selflessly to relocate and fight for human rights of the tribals, our government is shamelessly playing a real tyrant to suppress the poor adivasis and snatching away their land, destroying their homes to force them to take shelter in the nearby forest areas. Mr. Chidambaram, if your home is destroyed… please enlighten the 1.2 billion Indians… what would you do? If such acts are not GENOCIDE then what it is Mr. Manmohan Singh? Will the International Human Rights Organizations wake up from their sleep to fight for the rights of poor tribal Indians?

When will we? I ask one and all, when will we break our silence for all the government atrocities that is bestowed under the power of guns in the name of Law & Order? A case of molestation of a 14-year-old girl by the DGP with the support of Chief Ministers of the State is being debated endlessly in Parliament and National News Channels but… ghastly rape of adivasi women doesn’t even make news… How pathetic and callous my own country can be towards its countrymen??? Well, Mr. Chidambaram… your spotless white lungi and shirt is all covered in blood of the innocent Indians… it is high time, you make a brave attempt to clean them by solving the realities…

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