Friday, December 27, 2013

Fighting caste discrimination



Caste is one of India’s most enduring institutions and still retains its hold on Indian society. For those not fortunate to be born in the higher echelons of the caste hierarchy, life can be difficult indeed. Despite government efforts, caste discrimination is still rife, and low-caste Indians have to bear the brunt of poverty, illiteracy and violence. Lenin Raghuvanshi is in the forefront of the fight against caste discrimination, to ensure a just and equal society.

Raghuvanshi is the founder of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), which fights for the rights of marginalized people in several North Indian states, especially in the area around Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

Raghuvanshi was born in an upper caste family, which he describes as “feudal”. He got a bachelor’s degree in ayurveda, modern medicine and surgery from the State Ayurvedic College in Haridwar. But the social inequities that faced India made him take up the cause of bonded labourers. This is when he noticed that not a single bonded labourer came from the upper caste, and realised that the problem was essentially caste.

In 1996, Raghuvanshi founded PVCHR to fight the caste system. He works to ensure basic rights to vulnerable groups like children, women, Dalits, tribes and minorities. Raghuvanshi and his team works at the grassroots level in Varanasi and around 200 villages in Uttar Pradesh and five other states. PVCHR works to eliminate situations that give rise to the exploitation of vulnerable and marginalized groups, and to start a movement for a people-friendly movement (Jan Mitra Samaj) through an inter-institutional approach.

Raghuvanshi has his task cut out for him since the lot of Dalits and other oppressed minorities continues to be dismal. “In the past, if anyone from the lower caste breached the unwritten law of caste hierarchy, the person would be beaten up in public. Now the person will be shot dead and the village burnt down and the women raped. A bridegroom riding a horse during his wedding, an enterprising peasant digging a well on his land, if a boy falls in love with a girl – do you kill them? Yet, if they belong to the Dalit caste they are killed. We still say that there is rule of law in India,” he said in his acceptance speech while receiving the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

He is also concerned about the plight of women and children in this country. “India is still very much a patriarchal and caste-based society with gender discrimination. The destructive effects of gender discrimination, patriarchal oppression and the semi-feudal society so prevalent in 21st century India are manifest in our 55 million children, employed at times in subhuman conditions,” he says in a newspaper interview.

Raghuvanshi received the Gwangju Human Rights Award in 2007. He was made an Ashoka Fellow in 2001 and was presented the International Human Rights Prize of the City of Weimar (Germany) in 2010. Raghuvanshi once said to a newspaper that caste discrimination is so rife in Bundelkhand that a Dalit has to take off his chappal and hold it in his hand if a person belonging to the Thakur caste approaches. It’s not something that would make us proud.
How can you Help?
Caste approaches is not something that would make us proud 



Contact details of the NGO/Institution

Name :  Lenin Raghuvanshi 
Email ID  lenin@pvchr.asia
Contact Number :  9935599333
Address  PVCHR Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 

Monday, September 2, 2013

PVCHR: Face of Human Rights initiative in India

PVCHR: Face of Human Rights initiative in India: I am unsatisfied with Human Rights Defender desk of NHRC. Please read our urgent appeal on 25 January 2013. I wrote to NHRC. http://...

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Child of lessor god:need your solidarity

Please support to child of lessor god: survivor of police torture
Please support for the medical treatment of Pramod Kumar Yadav 17 years old student of class 12 in Krishak Inter college, Harhuwa,Varanasi,UP in India. On 6th August, 2013 he was picked up by the four policemen from outside school premise. For three days he faced severe police torture in the custody for the confession of crime. Please watch his pathetic story of crime against humanity on the follows YouTube:
PVCHR got this information from the newspaper clipping and immediately intervened with the concerned authorities and now admitted the child in Regional hospital Pandit Deen Dayal Hospital, Varanasi.

Therefore if you want to support this child or cause please contribute one day salary or income.
Name of bank: UCO bank Address of Bank Pandeypur, Varanasi, U.P India
Bank account number:
(Foreign contribution): 20110100001170
 (Indian contribution):  20110100000768
Bank account name/beneficiary:   Jan Mitra Nyas
SWIFT No:   UCBAINBB106 (mention please transfer to account no. 1170,
UCO Bank Pandeypur, Varanasi)
IFSC No. :       UCBA0002011
Address of Bank: Pandeypur, Varanasi, U.P India


For more information please visit: www.pvchr.asia



Monday, August 12, 2013

33 kids rescued from factories

To,
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi


Dear Sir,
 


I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published in the Deccan Herald on 6 August, 2013 33 kids rescued from factories http://www.deccanherald.com/content/349622/33-kids-rescued-factories.html

33 kids rescued from factories

New Delhi, August 6. 2013. DHNS:
Children worked in deplorable conditions
Rohan, an eight-year-old, was at a loss of words when enquired about his family in his native village in Bihar. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he kept repeating his desire to go to his real home. The feeling of loneliness and insecurity was dominant as he tried to reveal what he went through. 

Almost every child had a painful story to tell, when 33 boys in the age bracket of seven to 14 years were rescued from shoe and garment manufacturing units in Wazirpur village in north-west Delhi on Tuesday.

These children were rescued in a raid by Delhi Task Force, police, labour department and members of a non-profit organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan.

These children belong to various districts of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar.
Sub-divisional magistrate Mani Bhushan Malhotra ordered registration of cases against defaulting employers.


Rohan was made to toil hard for more than 12 hours a day. In a small 10x4 ft room, he worked in a condition of virtual slavery with other child labourers.

He has not seen his family since he was trafficked to the Capital nine months ago. The middleman — he refers to whom as chacha — who belongs to his neighbouring village, paid an advance money to his parents and promised them a better life for him.

Parents deceived

The trafficker deceived his parents into believing that Rohan can earn money in Delhi and can study simultaneously. But in reality the promised dream turned out to be a nightmare of modern-day slavery, where his movements were also restricted by his employers. 

Thus compelling him to eat, sleep and work in the same room without being paid any wage for the work.

Kailash Satyarthi, founder of BBA said, “Many major international brands are flourishing at the cost of freedom and education of Indian children and thus destroying their childhood,” he said.

“These brands can not hide behind the excuse of complexity of supply chain management. They are the principal employers and have to have to be booked under appropriate laws. It should be investigated that, for whom these children are really working.”


Therefore it is a kind request please take appropriate action at earliest.
 
Thanking You
 
Sincerely Yours

Shruti Nagvanshi 

Managing Trustee


&

 

Shirin Shabana Khan

Senior Manager

People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights

Sa 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi -221002

33 kids rescued from factories

To,
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi


Dear Sir,
 


I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published in the Deccan Herald on 6 August, 2013 33 kids rescued from factories http://www.deccanherald.com/content/349622/33-kids-rescued-factories.html

33 kids rescued from factories

New Delhi, August 6. 2013. DHNS:
Children worked in deplorable conditions
Rohan, an eight-year-old, was at a loss of words when enquired about his family in his native village in Bihar. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he kept repeating his desire to go to his real home. The feeling of loneliness and insecurity was dominant as he tried to reveal what he went through. 

Almost every child had a painful story to tell, when 33 boys in the age bracket of seven to 14 years were rescued from shoe and garment manufacturing units in Wazirpur village in north-west Delhi on Tuesday.

These children were rescued in a raid by Delhi Task Force, police, labour department and members of a non-profit organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan.

These children belong to various districts of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar.
Sub-divisional magistrate Mani Bhushan Malhotra ordered registration of cases against defaulting employers.


Rohan was made to toil hard for more than 12 hours a day. In a small 10x4 ft room, he worked in a condition of virtual slavery with other child labourers.

He has not seen his family since he was trafficked to the Capital nine months ago. The middleman — he refers to whom as chacha — who belongs to his neighbouring village, paid an advance money to his parents and promised them a better life for him.

Parents deceived

The trafficker deceived his parents into believing that Rohan can earn money in Delhi and can study simultaneously. But in reality the promised dream turned out to be a nightmare of modern-day slavery, where his movements were also restricted by his employers. 

Thus compelling him to eat, sleep and work in the same room without being paid any wage for the work.

Kailash Satyarthi, founder of BBA said, “Many major international brands are flourishing at the cost of freedom and education of Indian children and thus destroying their childhood,” he said.

“These brands can not hide behind the excuse of complexity of supply chain management. They are the principal employers and have to have to be booked under appropriate laws. It should be investigated that, for whom these children are really working.”


Therefore it is a kind request please take appropriate action at earliest.
 
Thanking You
 
Sincerely Yours

Shruti Nagvanshi 

Managing Trustee


&

 

Shirin Shabana Khan

Senior Manager

People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights

Sa 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi -221002

Friday, May 10, 2013


National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi, India



Case Details of File Number: 15948/24/3/2013
Diary Number
63990/CR/2013
Name of the Complainant
DR. LENIN RAGHUVANSHI, SECRETARY GENERAL
Address
PVCHR, SA 4/2A, DAULATPUR

VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim
WOMEN PROTECTION AGAINST RAPE
Address
MURDER OF A GIRL

ALIGARH , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident
PS. BANNO DEVI

ALIGARH , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident
4/18/2013
Status on 5/10/2013
The Complaint is under consideration.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

To,
The Chairperson  
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published in "Times of India"  on 17 April 2013 Delhi etition, regarding 'UP cops beat up gang rape victim'.  (newspaper clipping annexed).

Therefore it is a kind request please take appropriate action at earliest.
Thanking You
Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
Secretary General
Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Right
SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi
Mobile No: +91-9935599333
Email: pvchr.india@gmail.com

Friday, April 19, 2013

उत्तर-प्रदेश के अलीगढ़ जिले में पुलिस द्वारा महिलाओं और बच्चों के ऊपर लाठीचार्ज कर मानवाधिकार का उल्लघन करने पर कार्यवाही के सम्बन्ध में



National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi, India



Case Details of File Number: 15948/24/3/2013
Diary Number
63990/CR/2013
Name of the Complainant
DR. LENIN RAGHUVANSHI, SECRETARY GENERAL
Address
PVCHR, SA 4/2A, DAULATPUR

VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim
WOMEN PROTECTION AGAINST RAPE
Address
MURDER OF A GIRL

ALIGARH , UTTAR PRADESH
Place of Incident
PS. BANNO DEVI

ALIGARH , UTTAR PRADESH
Date of Incident
4/18/2013
Status on 5/10/2013
The Complaint is under consideration.

 


सेवा में, 19 अप्रैल, 2013
अध्यक्ष महोदय,
राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार आयोग,
नई दिल्ली |

विषय : उत्तर-प्रदेश के अलीगढ़ जिले में पुलिस द्वारा महिलाओं और बच्चों
के ऊपर लाठीचार्ज कर मानवाधिकार का उल्लघन करने पर कार्यवाही के सम्बन्ध
में |

महोदय,

आपका ध्यान इस खबर की और आकृष्ट कराना चाहता हूँ कि बन्नादेवी
थानाक्षेत्र के गाँव नगला कलार में भट्टी धुलाई मजदूर हरी सिंह अपने
परिवार के साथ रहता है | बुधवार को रात दलित हरी सिंह की चौथे नम्बर की छ
वर्षीय बेटी परिजनों के साथ घर के बाहर सो रही थी, रात लगभग डेढ़ बजे
परिजनों की आँख खुली तो उन लोगो ने देखा कि बच्ची अपने बिस्तर पर नहीं थी
| काफ़ी देर तक तलाश करने के बाद उसकी पुत्री का शव घर से कुछ दूर एक खाली
प्लाट पर मिला | ह्त्या की खबर सुनकर धीरे धीरे गाँव के लोग इकट्ठा होने
लगे | शव को देखकर ऐसा प्रतीत हो रहा था कि उस बच्ची के साथ ह्त्या के
पहले दुष्कर्म किया गया था | जिससे लोगो ने शव को रास्ते पर रखकर जाम लगा
दिया | पुलिस ने शव को जबरन अपने कब्जे में लेकर पोस्टमार्टम के लिए भेज
दिया | साथ ही भीड़ को हटाने के लिए उन पर लाठीचार्ज कर दिया | जिसमे
पुलिस वालो ने न तो महिलाओं को छोड़ा और न ही बच्चों को ही | सभी को
दौड़ा-दौड़ा कर पीटा | यह भी तथ्य सामने आया है कि कुछ लोगो ने पुलिस के इस
व्यवहार से नाराज होकर पथराव भी किया | जिन्हें पुलिस ने पकड़ भी लिया है
| लेकिन अभी तक ह्त्या के उस दोषी का कोइ भी सुराक नहीं ढूढ़ सकी है |
पुलिस ने जो अमानवीय कृत्य किया है मीडिया में ये खबर प्राकाशित
होने के कारण उसके एवज में पुलिस कर्मी निलंबित भी किये | लेकिन इस घटना
के
जिम्मेदार पुलिस कर्मियों के निलम्बन मात्र से ही ऐसी घटनाओं पर रोक नहीं
लगाई जा सकती | पुलिस के इस तरह के अमानवीय घटनाओं के दिन प्रति दिन बढ़ने
से आम जनता पुलिस से डराने लगी है और क़ानून के इन रक्षको के प्रति
विश्वास भी खोता जा रहा है |

अतः आपसे निवेदन है कि कृपया इस मामले को संज्ञान में लेते हुए उपद्रव
करने वालो के खिलाफ और दोषी पुलिस कर्मियों के खिलाफ मुकद्दमा पंजीकृत
किया जाय | साथ ही इस घटना में जांच के दौरान यह भी ध्यान रखा जाय कि
बिना पुख्ता सबूत के किसी भी निर्दोष के खिलाफ कोइ भी कार्यवाही करके
परेशान न किया जाय | साथ ही इस घटना की उच्च स्तरीय जांच कराई जाय जिसमे
स्थानीय पुलिस को न शामिल किया जाय बल्कि अलग से जांच टीम गठित किया जाय
|

संलग्नक :
1. अखबार की खबर की छायाप्रति |
2. Video Link Aaj Tak Chanel
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=252105574933241&set=vb.100004014022901&type=2&theater


भवदीय
डा0 लेनिन
महासचिव
मानवाधिकार जननिगरानी समिती
9935599333
lenin@pvchr.asia


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www.pvchr.net
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