Re: AIDS activists violated: Global support

[Guest guest]

Shri S M Krishna,

The Chief Minister,

Karnataka

By email: cm@...

Sub: Our protest against the threats to life and intimidation unleashed on

women activists of social work organisation, SANGRAM and of VAMP by the

Nippani Circle Inspector of Police Satish Khot and the Shiv Sena corporator

of Nippani.

Sir,

We are deeply shocked and disgusted at the intimidation, threats and verbal

assault launched against women activists of the well-known social work

organisation, SANGRAM and of the prostitutes' collective Veshya AIDS

Mukabla Parishad (VAMP) by the Circle Police Inspector of Nippani, Satish S

Khot and the Shiv Sena corporator of Nippani Babasaheb Khambe.

SANGRAM has achieved renown worldwide in the area of AIDS prevention. It

has been hugely successful in its recent initiative to form prostitutes'

collectives under the banner of Veshya AIDS Mukabla Parishad (VAMP) in

seven districts of Western Maharashtra and North Karnataka.

However, for several weeks now, the work of both organisations, and VAMP in

particular, has been under severe attack by the local politicians. We

regret to learn that the police, who are expected to provide security to

ordinary citizens, have completely abrogated this responsibility and

instead, threatened to kill, and even rape, Ms Shabana Khazi, the general

secretary of VAMP.

The abusive and undignified behaviour of the concerned police inspector and

of the local politicians expose their completely feudal and regressive

notion that prostitutes are somewhat sub-human, unworthy of basic dignity

and respect due to any human being. Their patriarchal mindsets are unable

to accept the fact that women, the world over, have a right to organise

against their oppression.

We earnestly request you to ensure that your government is not tainted by

the prejudicial and unjust behaviour of your functionaries. Please suspend

the police officer concerned and institute an inquiry into the incident.

Simultaneously, please direct your administration to help VAMP and its

activists conduct their legitimate meetings and activities without fear and

intimidation.

This letter is being distributed to interested parties and the media. I

hope you will be able to respond to this letter at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

M.

Director, FIAR

Brooklyn, NY 11217

" M. " <gmc0@...>

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cc: ACT UP

HealthGap

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