Statements

September 28
Punjab Police harassing innocent  citizens, whereas criminals go scot-free: AFDR

AFDR demands release of publishers and editors arrested under SC/ST act 

                 

State President  Mr. Bagga Singh, General Secretary Prof Jagmohan Singh and Press Secretary Prof A.K.Malery of Association For Democratic Rights, Punjab, here in a press statement  has strongly condemned the arrest of Publisher Amit Mitter (Tarak Bharti Publishers, Barnala), editor Jagjit  Singh Sahoke, Publisher Ashok Garg (Sangam Publishers)  and Editor Sukhwinder Singh Sawtantar under SC/ST act. It is an established fact that these publishers and editors are progressive group and they are contributing to strengthen the progressive ideology in society by publishing progressive, scientific/rationalist, propeople and revolutionary books both in Punjabi and Hindi for the last two decades. The poetry of Babu Rajab Ali of undivided Punjab forms an important part of Punjabi Literature. It is the actual reflection of historical social reality of Punjab. Several publishers including Language dept., Of Punjab has already published them in book form. Despite the poetry of Babu Rajab Ali there are mentions of caste related words in historical poetry and stories including famous Heer Waris Shah and even these words are coated in writings of Sikh Gurus, Saints of Bhagati Lehar and poets. Therefore use of caste related words in writings of Babu Rajab Ali or any other Historical writer should be grasped in historical context not as an attempt to insult a particular group of humanity. The purpose  and  thinking  behind these publications is not to insult anyone. The act of Punjab Govt., to arrest these publishers and editors of many progressive books is highly deplorable. It amounts to an attack on The Right to Academic Study, preservation of Historical writings, freedom of press and democratic rights. Such repressive steps will definitely limit the creation of Punjabi literature in long run and the publishers will not be able to preserve the historical books.

Justice Mohinder Singh of Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken serious note of working of Punjab Police, citing the particular instances of Hoshiarpur, Jaladhar, Ludhiana  and  Mohali, that Punjab Police is registering baseless  cases on innocent  citizens whereas criminals go scot free. The comments of Mr. Dalip Singh Pandhi,member of SC/ST commission Punjab are  worth noting that SC/ST act cannot be imposed on Publishers and editors. In the recent past the Pujanb Human Rights Commission has presented the data showing continuous increase in Police atrocities. The Punjab govt has failed to take any step to curb this phenomenon and is also turning deaf ears to incidents of social boycott of Scheduled caste communities. The Association For Democratic Rights Punjab demands immediate release of the publishers and editors and withdrawal of cases registered against them.

Issued By Bagga Singh (State President)

Prof A.K.Malery Press Secretary

Mobile 9888986469

Statements by some individuals

“This is mad. By this logic Manu Smriti should be banned so also writings by Dalits themselves. The whole business is sad and unfortunate." Nirupama Dutt, senior journalist, Chandigarh

This is crazy...obviously political. To arrest a pro-Dalit publisher for "using caste names". They clearly got on someone's wrong side. Well, I hope this sparks off a robust debate so that some issues get aired that otherwise don't get discussed in the mainstream press. Latika Neelakantan, former senior commissioning editor, Penguin India

Most deplorable act of the ignorance ruling our times. Ajay Bhardwaj, filmmaker

This is really becoming a big issue in India. Mira Kamdar, senior fellow, editorial board, World Policy Journal, Paris

Police and their political bosses are acting stupidly. Will they register a case against those who are publishing,printing Swami Dayanand written Satyarth Parkash. It has several references, sentences which can come under the same interpretation being adapted by police now. A few years back Jalandhar police arrested librarian of a school who issued a book of plays from school library written several years back by late Gurdial Singh Phull. Then also Sc/St Act was slapped. The book was duly approved by education dept authorities and had a play on Maharishi Valmiki… IP Singh, journalist, Times of India, Punjab

Govt better revoke the arrests....sitting in USA we had heard tendency of this govt to put people in jail for their political gain or vendetta but that was mostly against political activist... That was bad in itself but oppression of publishers/ journalists should not be tolerated ... It's not good for state... Even investors start running away when they realize govt is unfair and unthoughtful.... Anurag Goel, software professional, US

"Two publishers in Punjab have been arrested under SC/ST act. They had published Babu Rajab Ali's poetry. Babu Rajab is Punjab's one of the best ever poet. His poetry contains name of a caste. Making reference to traditional caste name does not amount to insult or castist attitude. Here publishers have a track record of being not-castist. I think; we are becoming hyper-senstive to such things which are killing the space for dialogue. Deletion of references will not solve any issue rather we will became more intolerant towards each-other. This is a serious infringement in democratic space. We need to engage with this issue. The release of arrested publishers with immediate effect should be a demand of any justice loving citizen ..." Daljit Ami, filmmaker, Chandigarh

"Much must not be read into reprinting the old poetry of Babu Rajab Ali and if so is the case a lot of literature will attract similar punishment". Gurdial Singh, writer, Janapeeth Awardee, Punjab

Rajab Ali had written these words many decades ago and if these have been carried out in any book it is not the fault of writers, editing the books or publishers and the action is unwarranted. Surjit Patar, poet, Punjab

Making a reference to traditional caste names in academic works can not be construed as name calling. I know some of the scholars who make it clear in the beginning of their works that references to historical caste names are just for interpretation of the contexts rather for any other purposes. Moreover in the case of the publishers the intention is not at all for the abusive use of the particular caste category. It is in this context that this case needs to be understood.  Ronki Ram, ICCR Chair Professor of Contemporary India Studies, Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) &  International Institute for Asian studies (IIAS), Leiden University, The Netherlands

Several years back many people complained about a “Doha” (couplet) in Ramcharit manas for similar reason (about women and Chamars) but fortunately better sense prevailed and they have not banned Ramcharit Manas. People must appreciate under what context something was written at that period/time. It is just the way people reacted about the cartoon of Ambedkar. An anonymous comment from kafila.org 

 (Compiled from various sources)

Statement by teachers of Punjabi University, Patiala

September 26

Press Statement

The recent arrests of two publishers and two book editors by Punjab police for reproducing works of Punjabi poet Babu Rajab Ali raises a serious threat to the question of academic freedom.  We condemn this thoughtless and irresponsible act of Punjab police and Punjab government.

The Punjab police booked them under the Prevention of Atrocities Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act because the works of Babu Rajab Ali contained some then used caste names.

However, we believe that Amit Mittar of Tarak Bharti Parkashan, Barnala and Ashok Garg of Sangam Publication, Samana are working to dissiminate the knowledge in Punjabi language.  Similarly, editors of the book Jagjeet Singh Sahoke and Sukhwinder Singh Swatantar reproduced the works which were written in the mid of 20^th century.

We understand that it is an intellectual bankruptcy of the state government and the Punjab police that the four were booked under the Prevention of Atrocities Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. Despite the fact that both the editors were himself, dalits and the publishers are known for publishing pro dalit literature.

It is not a case of ignorance but a case of sheer abuse of the law and of the act, which enacted to ensure the dignity of the dalits. It is a common fact that everyday there are so many incidents of atrocities against dalits but the same government and the same police doesn’t sound so enthusiastic to stop that. Instead of encroaching academic freedom and abusing the law, the Punjab police should pay some heed to stop atrocities against dalits.

We understand that various texts especially classical Punjabi poetry including Waris Shah’s Heer and poetry of Bhai Gurdas and Dhani Ram Chatrik many more contains caste names as it is in Babu Raja Ali’s poetry. So we believe that Indian constitution is a modern document and the texts written much before the existence of the Constitution can’t be looked with the prism of Indian Constitution. If government imagines doing so, it will set a wrong precedent, which will be dangerous for the history, historiography and culture of Punjab.  It will be disastrous for academic freedom.

If once the tampering with the history and historical texts start, there will be no end. You will have to demolish the Ajanta and Elora for ‘obscenity’; you will have to change the Waris Shah’ Heer, which is considered the biggest literary work in Punjab literature so far.

So we immediately demand from the Punjab government that FIR should be quashed and the guilty police officers should be booked for the abuse of law.

Signatories

Issued by  

Professor Jaswinder Singh Brar,

Professor Lakhwinder Singh,

Professor Kesar Singh Bhangoo,

Professor Inderjit Singh, Professor Sukhwinder Singh

Dr. Umrao Singh on behalf of Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), Punjabi University, Patiala

Statement by IFDR, Critique and Sampooran Kranti Munch , Haryana,

26, September, 2012

Press Release

This statement is concerning the recent arrest of the publishers and editors of Sangam, Samana and Tarak Bharti Prakashan– Arun Garg, Sukhwinder Singh Swatantar, Amit Mittar and Jagjeet Singh Sahoke under the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act for reproducing the poetry of Punjabi poet Babu Rajab Ali on 15^th September 2012. This arrest is a grievous misdemeanor on the part of Punjab Police which has misused this important legislation as an instrument of public coercion.

We condemn this arrest, which we understand to be an indulgence of the state to suppress any act that can remotely be in a position to challenge its hegemonic place in power. Instead of constructing historical texts such as this poetry or other works of literary figures such as Waris Shah or Bhai Gurdas, as name-calling, rather these academic and cultural memories need to be understood in a historical context – of society and times in which they were written. Further, upon evaluation of whether these texts offend the sentiments of a particular group, should there be any initiation of police action. Mere reference to traditional caste names from historical writings cannot in itself become a case of atrocity against a particular group. We herby decry the decision of the state to arrest these publishers on flimsy ground, which seems to be a direct attack on the Freedom of Speech and Expression guaranteed by the constitution of India.

We also urge academics, artists, intellectuals and members of the society to engage with many of these texts including Manusmriti and Bhagvad Gita – have open discussions about how to engage with contemporary pedagogy. The idea of our efforts has to move beyond the politics of identity towards a realization of social justice. 

Issued by                                          

             

Rajeev Godara, President

Sampooran Kranti Munch , Haryana,

Junaid Ahmad,  Siddharth

                                                                 Lallan Singh Baghel

Critique: A Discussion Forum         IFDR (Initiatives for Democratic Rights) 

Panjab University, Chandigarh     

_____________________________________________________________________

(For details contact: Rajeev 9417150798, rajeevgodara@gmail.com  ,Lallan 9815338223, lallanbaghel@gmail.com )

Press Release

Press statement by 22 mass organisations 

BARNALA: We condemn the arrest of two publishers and editors by the Punjab Police on the directions of the state government, for publishing Babu Rajab Ali’s poetry.

We a group of 22 mass organizations including students, peasants, dalit organizations, associations of journalists, writers and rationalist and agricultural labourers have taken a serious note of the arrest of Amit Mittar and Jagjeet Singh Saho ke by the Punjab Police on the directions of state government.

We warn the Punjab government that this kind of repressive tactics against the pro people publishers and writers won’t be tolerated. We are of the firm view that the arrest of publishers and editors is not an attack on freedom of two individuals but it is an attack against each organization, each pen, each writer, each columnist and each language. It will not be tolerated at any cost. It is a known fact that these publishers are known for their stand by the masses in any struggle against the anti-people policies of the government.

We feel that it is not an act out of ignorance or of isolated arrests but it is a planned conspiracy of the state government and Punjab police to silent the each voice of dissent and resistance. 

Everybody knows that these books were just reproduced, which were written decades back. The entire classical poetry of early 20^th century contains references to castes. The intellectual bankruptcy of the Punjab police and the state government is now out in the open, now they are unsuccessfully trying to portray that these publishers were anti dalit.

It is an established fact that Tarak Bharti Parkashan has been publishing the progressive literature for around two decades. So, we warn the state government to release both the arrested publisher and editors immediately.  

Signatories

1Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan)

2Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari)

3 Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda)

4 Punjab Kisan Sabha

5 Jamhoori Kisan Sabha

6 Pendu Mazdoor Union

7 Punajb Khet Mazdoor Union,

8 Mazdoor Multi Morcha

9 Pendu Mazdoor Union (Mishaal)

10 Kirti Mazdoor Union,

11 Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union

12 Dehati Mazdoor Sabha

13 Association for Democratic Rights, Punjab (AFDR)

14 Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha

15 Punjab Sahit Sabha,

16 Tarksheel Society, Bharat

17 Tarksheel Society, Punjab

I8 Inqulabi Kender, Punjab

19 Lok Morcha, Punjab,

20 Pragatisheel Istri Sabha, Punjab

21 Panjab Lok Sabhiyacharak Manch,

22 Radical People’s Forum, Punjab

Contact: Narain Dutt: 96460-10770

 Press statement regarding arrest of publishers and editors for allegedly publishing anti-Dalit text

The arrest of two Punjabi publishers and two editors for reprinting old books of poet Babu Rajab Ali which allegedly contained some then used caste names, under the Prevention of Atrocities Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, is a totally thoughtless, callous and ruthless action taken by the Punjab government.

We understand that Mr. Amit Mittar of Tark Bharti Prakashan and Mr. Ashok Garg of Sangam and editors Mr. Jagjeet Singh Sahoke from Moga and Mr. Swatantar from Samana, were arrested by the police on September 15 at the behest of the Punjab government, is absolutely against academic freedom.

Babu Rajab Ali (1894-1979) was a popular poet of Punjab. His poetry published much before the Indepence of India included qissas of Punjabi folktales like Heer Ranjha, Dulla Bhatti, Mirza Sahiban, and Bhagat Singh etc. His works have been published by the state-run Language Department, Punjab, besides various other publishers.  A new reprint of those works cannot by any stretch of imagination be considered to be a criminal offence. His works and the mention of the then used caste names in his poetry have to be understood in the historical context.

Making a reference to traditional caste names in academic works cannot be construed as name-calling. Some scholars make it clear in the beginning of their works that references to historical caste names are just for interpretation of the contexts rather for any other purposes. Moreover in the case of the publishers the intention is not at all for the abusive use of the particular caste category. It is in this context that this case needs to be understood.

The Punjab government, in its overzealous thoughtlessness, has entered a wrong territory, as this is not the only text containing traditional caste names. Such a cleansing, as the Punjab government has attempted to carry out, will need doing away with all the classical Punjabi literature containing the traditional caste names. This includes not just poetry by the likes of Bhai Gurdas, Waris Shah, Shah Husain and Dhani Ram Chatrik, who are regularly published by various state departments and universities run by the Punjab government, but, the sacred text of Guru Granth Sahib too.

Also, the government should have bothered to inquire from its agencies whether these publishers and writer are really against Dalits or not. All these people are known for producing pro-Dalit and pro-working class literature at affordable prices.

We appeal to the people, whose feelings have been hurt by these books should look these texts in broader context.

This act of Punjab government is not only against freedom of expression but also abuse of the law and this is not for what this law meant for.

We condemn the government’s move and demand immediate release of all publishers and editors booked under the SC/ST Act.

Signatories:

1 Harish Puri, Political Scientist and Historian

2 Ajmer Aulakh, Sahitya Akademi Award-Winning Writer

3 Amarjit Chandan, London-Based Poet

4 Navtej Bharti, Canada-Based Writer

5 Ronki Ram, ICCR Chair Professor of Contemporary India Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands

6 Om Prakash Gasso, Shiromani Sahitkar

7 Parmod Kumar, Director, Institute for Development and Communication, Chandigarh

8 Nirupama Dutt, Writer and Journalist

9 Gobind Thukral, Senior Journalist

10 Rajinder Singh Rahi, Writer

11 Pritam Singh, Oxford Brookes University, UK

12 Rajeev Sharma, Filmmaker

13 Jainder Mauhar, Filmmaker

14 Daljit Ami, Filmmaker

15 Baljit Balli, Editor, www.babushahi.com

16 Meena Dhanda, Head, Department of Philosophy, University of Wolverhampton, UK

17 Prabhsharandeep Singh, student, Oxford University, UK

18 Satnam, Author of Jangalnama

19 Jagtar, Senior Journalist, Punjab

20 Arvind, Dean, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab

21 Yogesh Snehi, Assistant Professor, Ambedkar University, Delhi

22 Chaman Lal, Professor & Former Chairperson Centre of Indian Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and Former President JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA)

23 Bhai Baldeep Singh, Classical Musician

24 Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Punjabi University, Patiala

25 Eleanor Nesbitt, Professor Emeritus,Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit, University of Warwick, UK

26 Maqsood Saqib, Punjabi Writer, and Editor Pancham, Lahore

27 Bhagwan Josh, Historian, JNU

28 Mushtaq Soofi, Punjabi Poet, Lahore, Pakistan

29 Jatinder Singh Toor, Senior Lawyer, Punjab and Haryana High Court
30 Gurdial Singh, Jnanpith Awardee
31 Umrao Singh, Assistant Professor, Punjabi University, Patiala

Press Release by Punjabi Publishers

JALANDHAR: In a joint press release, eight book publishers flayed the Punjab government’s move to arrest two publishers and two editors for publishing the poetry of Babu Rajab Ali.

Condemning the arrest of publishers Amit Mittar of Tarak Bharti Publication, Barnala, and Ashok Garg of Sangam Publication, Samana, and book editors Jagjeet Singh Saho Ke and Swantantar Singh under Prevention of Atrocities Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, , the publishers in the statement said that everybody knows that Tarak Bharti Publication and Sangam Publication are known for publishing scientific and progressive literature in Punjabi and Hindi languages for past several decades.

They said that everybody knows that Babu Rajab Ali was a famous qissa exponent and poet. They said that folk tales of Heer Ranjha, Dulla Bhatti, Mirza Sahiba and Bhagat Singh are part of Punjabi folklore. These qissas and poems have been published from time-to-time by various state government-run publications like the Language Department, Punjab, and various publications of universities including Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and Punjabi University, Patiala.

The publishers said that if any contemporary publisher, including the state government-owned publications reprint the literature of past or classical texts, which contains castes names doesn’t mean the publishers are anti-Dalit or that they want to hurt the sentiments of a particular caste or community. Reproducing old texts is not a crime.

The caste references in Babu Rajab Ali’s poetry should be taken in historical context because these poems are more than half a century old. And the reproduction of these texts by the publisher shouldn’t be taken as intended to hurt the feelings of a particular community or class.

The arrest of the publishers who have published hundreds of pro-Dalit and progressive books is an irresponsible act of the Punjab government and Punjab police. We take it as a serious attack on academic freedom and freedom of expression.

Such ruthless tactics by the state police and the government will yield serious threat to creativity in Punjabi literature. This act of the state government and the Punjab police is very dangerous for the future of publication business as well. The publishers will live under uncertainty and threat and no publisher will be able to publish any books in future. We demand the immediate release of publishers Amit Mittar and Ashok Garg and editors Jagjeet Singh Sahoke and Swantantar.

Signatories

Baba Bhujha Singh Yadgari Publication, Banga

Punj Aab Publication, Jalandhar

Balraj Sahni Yadgari Publication, Bathinda

Jagriti Publication, Samrala

Dildeep Publication, Samrala

People’s Forum, Bargari, Punjab

Chetna Parkashan, Ludhiana 

Chintan Publication, Ludhiana

Lokgeet Parkashan, Chandigarh
National Book Shop, Delhi

(Contact: Buta Singh, Baba Bhujha Singh Yadgari Parkashan, Banga  94634-74342, Kesar Singh Punj Aab Publication, Jalandhar 98140-87063)