By Sanjeev Shekhar
Scores of tribal leaders from Jharkhand protesting handing over of the “International Peace Award 2011” to non-Adivasi has evoked positive response from all over including the representative of Bulu Imam, one of the selected recipients by the London based Gandhi Foundation organization. However, the response from the Gandhi Foundation and Dr. Binayak Sen, who is another member selected by the Foundation to receive the award on behalf of Adivasis, is still awaited.
The award ceremony would be held on November 9, 2011 at Amnesty International (UK) the Human Rights Action Centre, London.
On behalf of Bulu Imam, faculty member from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Kyushu, Japan Phil Carter in his letter to the leader of the Jharkhand Human Rights Movement Gladson Dung-Dung informed that he spoke to Bulu over the phone, who is unaware about the matter.
“He was not aware of the development, as he could not check his email till last evening. I explained the situation, and he says that in his opinion the award should be given to him individually and not on behalf of the tribal people of India. He says he does not represent the tribal people of India, and never claimed to do so. He requests that the Gandhi Foundation change the wording of the award,” Phil Carter stated.
Carter continued that some within this ethnic group have chosen to take up armed resistance and the Gandhi Foundation in my opinion misguided in using such a broad classification as "the tribal people of India" which also includes such individuals. I am replying on behalf of Bulu Imam at his request as he cannot immediately access his email and this issue is rapidly developing and getting large-scale due to the speed of communication of the Internet.
The panel member of the Planning Commission Gladson Dung-Dung wrote to the Gandhi Foundation on October 15, 2011 regarding the sentiments of various tribal organizations protesting the Foundation decision to handover the award to non-Adivasi.
“It is extremely painful to know that the foundation has decided to give the award to renowned civil rights Activist Dr. Binayak Sen and Bulu Imam on behalf of the Adivasis of India. We have high respect for both the recipients. However, we would not like them to receive the award on behalf of the Adivasis of India,” Gladson wrote.
On receiving the response from Phil Carter, the human right activist, Gladson observed in his note on October 16, “We would like to thank everybody for great support to the cause of Adivasis of India. We have got response from Mr. Phil Carter on behalf of Shree Bulu Imam and thank him for accepting our views and supporting us for upholding the dignity of the Adivasis of India.”
However, he said that their core demand from the Gandhi Foundation remains the same. The Foundation should either change the title of the award or name of recipients. “Our fight would continue till the demand was met and we are still waiting responses from the Gandhi Foundation and Dr. Binayak Sen as well,” Gladson said.
Tribals under the banner of “Jharkhand Human Rights Movement” and “Jharkhand Indigenous People’s Forum” jointly lodged their protest to the President of the Gandhi Foundation, Richard Attenborough, urging him to protect the culture, identity and autonomy as well as uphold the dignity of the Adivasis (Indigenous People) of India.
Journalist/Media Consultant/PR
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