AIDS activists violated: Protest letter from Seattle, Washington USA

[Guest guest]

To

Shri S M Krishna,

The Chief Minister,

Karnataka

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

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

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

of Nippani.

Sir,

I am 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 organizations, 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 behavior 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 organize against

their oppression.

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

the prejudicial and unjust behavior 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.

Sincerely,

Amelia Seraphia Derr, MSW

Auxiliary Faculty

University of Washington School of Social Work

Seattle, Washington USA

E-mail: seraphia28@...

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