GUWAHATI, Aug 29 - More than 400 women�s groups, human rights organisations and LGBTQIA collectives across the country are organising the �If we do not rise� campaign on September 5, marking the third anniversary of assassination of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh. The north-east chapter of the campaign was launched on Saturday and will continue with different programmes till September 5.
The campaign will cover the voices of resistance of activists, LGBTQAI community members, human rights activists, film screening, discussions, testimonies, poetry recitation, songs, plays, sharing of fact sheets and submission of memoranda to local authorities.
�The campaign is aimed at uniting voices against targeted attacks on the Constitutional rights of the people of India,� a joint statement issued by the agitating organisations stated.
As part of the campaign, thousands of individuals and groups will come together across the country to raise their voices on the issues mentioned both online and on the ground. Environment issues will be addressed on August 30; LGBTQAI issues on August 31; issues related to NRC and citizenship etc., will be addressed on September 1; issues of violence against women, health etc., on September 2; issues of migrant workers, farmers, tea garden workers and domestic workers on September 3; young people�s rights, child rights, education issues on September 4; and final day of resistance will be observed on Sept 5.
�The country has witnessed a systematic attempt to spread communal hatred and divide people on religious lines. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) pushed through Parliament by the government, together with the NRC and NPR, destroys the secular fabric of India�s Constitution by making religion a basis for giving Indian citizenship. The independence of the judiciary and other institutions of oversight has come under a serious cloud. The functioning of the Parliament has been gravely compromised. The dilution of the Right to Information Act has hit at the fundamental democratic right of citizens to question the government,� the organisations stated.
�The North East in particular, is facing a threat to its rich bio-diversity due to some of the faulty government policies. Environmental clearance to a number of projects in the region might prove to be detrimental to the NE region, and will be a big loss at a national as well at a global level,� Monisha Behal, social activist from the region actively involved with the campaign, told The Assam Tribune.
�The hydropower projects in Dibang Valley, the coal mining in Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, the proposed highway across Pakke Tiger Reserve, extension of drilling and testing of hydrocarbons under Dibru Saikhowa National Park are some examples,� she added.
The organisations also expressed concern at the EIA draft, saying that it would have a devastating impact on the environment and wildlife of the NE.
