1. Before, we meet at 10AM on 27 May 08, I once again wish to appeal all Military Veterans and individual veterans to participate in the protests throughout the country in large numbers.
2. We have informed the MHA through a letter by Let Gen Raj Kadyan dated 14 May08 to Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil (Copy attached), about the Hunger Strike on 27 May 08, we hope the Govt will not disturb our peaceful protests of Fast for Justice against the highly unjust and iniquitous in 6th PCR.
3. May, we request you to kindly wear miniature medals and carry your Identity Card. Let us all meet at India Gate at 10 AM on 27 May 08.
With regards,
Jai Hind
Yours’ Sincerely
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM
From: Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
Chairman, ESM Movement
To: Shri Shivraj Patil
Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs
North Block, New Delhi
Dear Shri Shivraj Patil,
We, the Ex-servicemen of India feel greatly aggrieved by the Sixth Pay Commission report. In this connection we wanted to hold a rally at the India Gate War Memorial on 27 April 2008. However, permission to do so was denied by the Home Ministry on the grounds of Section 144 of the Cr PC being in force at and around India Gate. As disciplined soldiers and responsible citizens we abided by the orders and shifted our venue elsewhere.
Do allow me to point out that India Gate is frequently used for protests and demonstrations of various kinds. Just to quote an example, in 2006 a huge demonstration was held at India Gate to demand justice for Jessica Lal. I am attaching copy of a press report of this demonstration, which also includes a picture. And there are many other similar instances. Therefore, prima facie denying permission to us for holding a disciplined and peaceful rally in support of some two million defence pensioners appears to have been discriminatory.
I write this to inform you that the EX-Servicemen would be holding a daylong hunger strike at India Gate Boat Club lawns on 27 May 2008.
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
sd/ Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd)
Copy to:
Dr Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, 7 Race Course Road, New Delhi
Smt Sonia Gandhi, President Indian National Congress, 10 Janpath New Delhi
Dated: 14 May 2008
SEEKING JUSTICE: Nafisa Ali along with other protesters holding candles to demand justice for Jessica Lal at the India Gate in New Delhi on Saturday.
NEW DELHI: Demanding justice for Jessica Lal, human rights activists, people from the Capital's fashion fraternity, artists, students and concerned citizens got together on Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil and protest demonstration here at India Gate. Among those participating in the vigil were Jessica's sister Sabrina, social activist Swami Agnivesh, Neelam Krishnamurthy of the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy, young murder victim Nitish Katara's mother Neelam Katara, fashion designer Ravi Bajaj, model Joey Mathew and a large number of students and teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Overwhelming response
Speaking out at the first public demonstration demanding justice for Jessica, Sabrina said: "It is overwhelming to see that so many people care enough to have taken time out to come here and be a part of this demonstration. For me the battle is personal, but I feel stronger today when I see that the battle now is not just mine. I want justice for my sister. I had given up hope but now I feel that something will come out of fighting this battle together. The Government, the police and the judiciary cannot ignore a voice that is so loud and clear."
While the gathering engaged in slogan shouting, lighting candles and singing extempore songs, family members, friends and concerned citizens seemed eager to ensure that their voices were heard.
"We are standing here for justice and we have understood that we need to be together to make things happen in our country. What has happened to Jessica can happen to anyone, and sadly till the public decides that enough is enough innocent people will keep getting killed and we are going to suffer. We want to tell the Government that delay is not acceptable and that we want a time-bound system where justices is done," said Ms. Krishnamurthy. Underlining the need for a fast and transparent judicial system, a Delhi University student said, "This here now is a protest not just for Jessica; it is also for the common man who is vulnerable in a corrupt system. We don't blame Shayan Munshi for not standing up for Jessica as an eyewitness in the case, we need a better witness protection system where the common man doesn't feel threatened to speak the truth."
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