Protest aganist the proposed legalization of prostitution in India.

[Guest guest]

PROTEST LETTER

We the members of Network Against Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation in Andhra

Pradesh with deep regret and anger protest the statement by Honorable

Union Minister Ms. Kanti Singh on the proposed legalization of prostitution in

India.

Prostitution is the oldest form of sexual slavery and its existence today is a

reflection of the fact that large number of option less women and children are

forced to sell their bodies for survival. No women or child from any strata of

society willingly sells her body in the flesh trade market: it is always

optionlessness that pushes people to such dehumanizing trade.

For centuries women and children have been exploited and commodified for the

gains of the patriarchal society and this combined with globalization and

commercialization has only furthered and deepened this exploitation. In recent

times the mafia for its gains and the HIV/AIDS lobby for their convenience have

in many forums raised this issue of licensing and legalization projecting this

as a need of the victim.

A victim of flesh trade will never benefit from this move. In fact her

conditions will further deteriorate as her dignity and self-respect is auctioned

in the flesh trade market.

The need of the organized criminal networks and the perpetrators of this trade

is the main lobby behind this demand to legitimize this disgusting trade. The

benefit of legalization is for the greedy few who live on the earnings of the

exploited women and children.

We condemn it. We also feel disturbed that charismatic political leaders like

Ms. Kanti singh are becoming pawns in the hands of this nexus.

We appeal to all like-minded citizens of this nation,activists, women

organizations, human right activists and like minded NGOs to strongly protest

and fight against such untoward decisions. We deeply regret and request all the

political parties appropriately react to this decision.

Our earnest plea to the congress leadership is to take immediate action and

amend the situation.

This letter is on behalf of all the victims, whose slavery like existence will

become their only reality if this proposal is passed. What is required is to

provide viable options and alternatives to bring these hapless women out of this

misery.

Andhra Pradesh is the second largest supplier of women and children for

trafficking for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation. Any move of this

kind will only destroy and scope for these victims.

We once again appeal for change reinforcing the fact that all of us will

initiate a nation wide protest if this proposal takes any further shape.

N.V.S.Ram Mohan,

Convener, NATSAP.

E-mail: <help_org2002@...>

CC to : all Honb’le Union Ministers , Govt.of India

Honb’le Chief Minister, Govt. of A.P

The President, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, Hyd

The National Commission for Women

The National Human Rights Commission

The President, DMK, Chennai

National Secretariat Offices of CPI & CPM

The President, BJP, New Delhi

The President , SIVASENA , Mumbai

And other political parties