Appeal – Support Bhopal Survivors

Dear Friends,

Urgent Support required by Bhopal Survivors

Reasons: We writing to seek your support to Bhopalis who seem to have again been betrayed by UPA led Gov. Most of you were involved with the recent Bhopal Padyatra and a six month long protest in the capital which concluded in August after an announcement from Paswan and Prithviraj Chavan on behalf of Prime Minister agreeing to the long standing demands of – Empowered Commission on Bhopal, Safe drinking water to contaminated water affected Bhopal communities and legal action against Dow Chemicals. While, earlier reported to you that much progress has been made to supply safe drinking water in the communities, Empowered Commission seems to have stuck once again. In the last few months we have constantly lobbied with different Ministries to get this going but besides assurances nothing much has come our way.

The situation becomes critical because of upcoming elections. New government will be under no obligation to keep the commitments of present government. Even if Congress gets re-elected the process is unnecessary delayed and of course so far they have shown no inclination towards keeping their words. Thus forcing Bhopalis to launch direct actions against the Government once again.

It is in this context we are writing to you.

How can you Help: Bhopalis are launching direct actions starting on 6 March 2009. Hence, we need

1) Political Support:-

a) Appointments  with GoM on Bhopal Members (Arjun Singh, Paswan, Oscar Fernandez, Prithviraj Chavan) to build pressure for notification on Empowered Commission before the elections start. This seems like a daunting timeframe but we need to really push hard on this. In case you can help us get a meeting with these Ministers and represent Bhopalis Case in the meeting, that would really be of immense value.

b) Lobbying MPs of different Political Parties to write to Prime Minister, Arjun Singh and Paswan on this.

2) Financial Support: Considering there will be a series of actions by Bhopalis we are in urgent need of Financial support towards arranging the logistics. It will be help hugely if you can support us in these:-

a) Donations/Contribution:-

—- Sponsor the Meal- One time meal for some 100-150 Bhopalis need Rs 3000

—- Protest Material-  Banners, Photocopy etc can cost anything between 1000-2000

—-  Transport and other miscellaneous Cost:- Anything between 1000-1500

Whether you sponsor specific requirements or contribute towards overall expenses both will help the struggle immensely.

b) Calendars and other Bhopal Material for sale: We will be grateful if you can help us in selling Bhopal Calendars, postcards, buttons. If you are organising any meeting or event please inform us so that we can be there with some of these.

We will really appreciate an immediate response to this. Please do let us know how can you help us in Political lobbying and fundraising for the struggle. This is a tough time for all of us and we are counting on your support and guidance.

For more details contact:

Shalini Sharma

Contact: 9891442037 / 011- 26680914

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Protest against the arrest of Shamim Modi

Ms. Shamim Modi, the well known social and political activist of the Shramik Adivasi Sangathan in Harda, Madhya Pradesh. She was arrested on 10 February following an ultimatum by the industries association demanding her arrest. She has been involved in the struggle of the saw mill workers and the hammals (kulies) who have been denied the minimal legal entitlements. She and her husband Anurag Modi have been involved in carrying a crusade against the nexus between politicians and forest mafia. She also contested the recent assembly election.

Shamim Modi has done her B.A from Jesus & Mary College, University of Delhi, M.A. degree from Lady Shriram College, University of Delhi, M.Phil from TISS Mumbai and L.L.B. from Bhopal University. The vice president of Samajwadi Jan Parishad, MP, she has contested two assembly elections and a parliament election. She has filed a number of cases of tribal and labour rights at the MP High Court. Shamim Modi was a member of the Tribal Subgroup of the Planning Commission of India that was involved in preparing the 11^th five year plan. She has been a trustee with renowned social worker Medha Patkar and late Baba Amte in the Jan Sahyog Trust.

In protest of Shamim’s  arrest all the labour union belonging to Harda, Khirkiya, Timarni, Sirali and Rhatgaon Krishi Upaj Mandi in Harda district, Railway Mal Godam union, ware house union, saw mill union belonging to 60 saw mill in the Harda city are went  on the day’s  strike on 12 February and took out a big rally at Harda. . From 13 the saw mill union has went on indefinite strike and started a sit in at Harda demanding implementation of labour laws and opposing Shamim’s arrest.In Delhi there was a protest outside Madhya Pradesh Bhavan twice on 27 February and on 3 March 2009.

Shamim Modi granted bail by the Jabalpur high court on 3 March 2009.

See the Video and the Photographs from the Protest

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