28july08

08, May 2017


July 28, 2008

 


CJP Condemns Blasts

 

The serial
blasts in Ahmedabad, targeting innocent lives are dastardly acts of terror
that have wrecked human lives and also generated terror and fear among
ordinary citizens. The CJP unequivocally condemns them and demands that
the actual culprits, after fair investigation, are punished. The targeting
of busy market places and worst of all, hospitals, where the sick and
injured come for medical aid exposes the vicious and cynical mind of the
terrorist. The CJP also condemns the blasts the day before in Bangalore
that has led to the unfortunate situation that professionals need to be
provided security.

 

The staff and
doctors of all AhmedabadÂ’s Hospitals, the Civil Hospital, the LG Hospital,
the VS Hospital and Rajasthan Hospital need to be saluted for the singular
hard work they have put in to save lives and achieve a sense of normalcy
in the wards.

 

Two members
of the Citizens for Justice and Peace, its secretary, Teesta
Setalvad accompanied by Rahul Bose visited the city, met the victims in
visits to all hospitals and also visited the blast sites. A detailed list
of names of the injured has been collated by CJP so as to enable immediate
relief, especially for the daily bread winners from Ahmedabad. This list
will be uplinked on the CJP and Sabrang website by the evening of July 27,
2008. Photographs will be put up by also.

 

The
atmosphere in both  Ahmedabad, the rest of Gujarat and the country (after
the Bangalore blasts) is fragile and therefore the need to maintain calm
and project voices of reason. The need of the hour is dialogue between
communities and individuals as the sinister aim of the terrorist is to
create hatreds and suspicions between communities. Moreover all
investigations into the terror attacks should be transparent accountable.
Terrorism and terror attacks should not become the subject of
irresponsible politicisation. To combat terror we must stand firm, calm
and united.

 

The need of
the hour is immediate peace and communal harmonyÂ….social activists and
political leaders must move among the people, speak to the victims, help
ease the trauma and above all ensure that no cheap political gain is made
out of this tragedy. In  Varanasi (Kashi) that saw blasts at the Sankat
Mochan temple in March 2006, the active presence of
silent street and mohalla committees who worked
24 hours, to dispel any suspicion and panic, to the scores of religious
organisations, notably those from the Muslim minority who stepped
forward,  spontaneously and unequivocally,  to condemn the heinous acts
and offer help and sympathy to the victims, it was the ordinary people of
this ancient and historic place of pilgrimage that typifies IndiaÂ’s
Ganga-Jamuna culture, who then emerged the victors against terror.
Ahmedabad maintained calm, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We must now
ensure that lasting peace is built on this calm and this city that has
seen bitterness, violence and division builds bridges out of the tragedy. 

 

 

An Appeal

 

The CJP
appeals to all citizens, organisations and corporate groups to donate
generously to our relief effort in Gujarat. Daily wage earners,
rickshawpullers, sweepers frm the Valmiki community, innocent children of
barbers and vendors lie injured in hospital with each day from work, also
a day of hunger and deprivation for the rest of their families.

Financial aid
to them will be CJPÂ’s first priority.

 

Children,
women and men have also faced great trauma. We hope to be able to work
with the victims on a long term basis to assist them out of the
irreparable loss they have suffered apart from in the immediate, lending
assistance for those injured who are faced with the loss of daily wages.

 

Please donate
generously to the Citizens for Justice and Peace, Mumbai. Send
queries to
[email protected] and
[email protected]. The CJP is a registered body and donations made
out to it enjoy exemptions under Section 80 G of the Income Tax Act.
Cheques or contributions need to be posted to CJP, Nirant, Juhu Tara Road,
Mumbai 400049.

 

 

Teesta
Setalvad,

Secretary

 

 

Trustees: IM
Kadri (Vice-President), Arvind Krishnaswamy (Treassurer), Anil Dharker
(writer), Alyque Padamsee (communications expert), Cyrus Guzder (corporate
leader), Ghulam Pesh Imam (businessman), Javed Anand (writer and social
activist), Javed Akhtar (poet and script writer), Nandan Maluste
(financial consultant), Rahul Bose (actor), Cedric Prakash (social
activist), Teesta Setalvad (journalist and social activist)

 

 

 


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