Legal Rights Observatory

Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) is a grassroots organisation of volunteers dedicated to expose human rights and civil rights violations in India. The organisation uses legal procedures to protect religious, political, and other basic rights of all sections of Indian society, including military personnel and the general public. It also participates in active vigilance against any efforts by minority leaders (religious or political) to oppress the rights of citizens that make up India's majority demographic. This indirect support for the Hindu majority has led some to associate LRO with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist paramilitary group. The organisation also advocates against animal abuse.

History

In 2010, Legal Rights Observatory's (LRO's) convener, Vinay Joshi, initiated legal proceedings against Aziz Burney, the editor-in-chief of Urdu daily Sahara, for the publication of the book 26/11:RSS Ki Saazish? (English: 26/11: An RSS Conspiracy?),[1] which alleged that the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on 26 November 2008 were carried out by a joint operation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Indian Military Intelligence Service. The same allegation had been made earlier in Urdu daily Azizulhind in a special issue after the attacks. The legal battle resulted in Burney issuing a public apology for the allegations on the front page of the Urdu language daily newspaper.[2] However, Joshi remained unconvinced by the apology, suggesting his intention to pursue the legal action.[3][4]

In April 2017, the LRO threatened the India Today TV channel with a police complaint for inviting human rights activist Nandini Sundar to a live TV debate that was aimed toward left-wing extremist groups.[5]

In May 2017, the LRO stated in a press release that Maoist activists had targeting them with a "death warrant" due to their activism.[6]

In October 2017, LRO objected to the 9th Anuradha Gandhi Memorial Lecture, commemorating the wife of jailed Naxal leader Kobad Ghandy. Legal Rights Observatory demanded cancellation of the event and sought intervention from police in Mumbai, where the event was scheduled. Though the event concluded peacefully, it raised concerns among the organisers and the police.[7][8][9] All earlier lectures were held in Mumbai and this was the first instance when any complaint had been lodged and a cancellation of the event had been demanded.

Though numerous reports published in Indian media refer to Legal Rights Observatory as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliated body, there is no substantial evidence or public statement from any RSS leader about LRO's institutional or organisational affiliation with RSS.

Disputes with Christian groups

In November 2017, before the Gujarat Assembly elections, LRO lodged a complaint against the Archbishop of Gandhinagar, Thomas Ignatius MacWan, for his statement against nationalist forces.[10] When the Election Commission of India received the LRO complaint, it served a notice to the archbishop asking for clarification.[11][12][13] LRO again lodged a complaint with the elections commissioner against Macwan for misuse of religious appeal ahead of the 2019 elections.[14]

In the Mylliem village of the East Khasi Hills district of the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya, the funeral of indigenous faith priests of Niam Khasi religion, Bah Kulam Nongrum, had been violently resisted by local Christians and two local schools. Sunny Hills Adventist Secondary School and Hermon Zenith Secondary School were accused of forcing their students to protest the funerals. Following the controversy, Joshi approached the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and filed a complaint under the Juvenile Justice Act. The commission ordered an inquiry into the incident, pending at the East Khasi Hills district authority.[15]

In August 2017, after the Pynursla Gang Rape Case in Meghalaya,[16] LRO sent a letter to Pope Francis through the Holy See ambassador in Delhi, demanding an immediate apology from the Pope for discrimination and persecution,[17] which they allege the Church was committing in Northeast India against local tribes.[18] Though the Vatican did not respond to the LRO letter, aggrieved Christians from the Northeast criticized Joshi of harassment.[19]

A Christian group in Meghalaya sent an email to Indian lawmakers requesting them to raise their voice in Parliament against LRO, which they alleged was harassing Christians by filing complaints and court suits against several Christian leaders. The national English daily published a report in this regard.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "RSS & 26/11: Digvijaya flags it off again,this time in Mumbai". 28 December 2010.
  2. ↑ "For linking RSS to 26/11, Aziz Burney says sorry on front page - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com.
  3. ↑ "RSS rejects Aziz Burney apology, to pursue case against him - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". 1 February 2011.
  4. ↑ "RSS not moved by Burney's apology; to pursue case - Rediff.com India News". www.rediff.com.
  5. ↑ "Rajdeep Sardesai Threatened With Police Complaint For Inviting Activist Nandini Sundar To His Show". Huffington Post. 26 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Maoists allegedly threaten to kill Legal Rights activists for targeting 'their own' activists". OpIndia.com. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  7. ↑ "Right-Wing Group in Mumbai Tries to Stop "Anti-National" Lecture on Naxalism". thewire.in. 13 October 2017.
  8. ↑ "Controversy erupts over lecture in Mumbai". Rediff. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  9. ↑ "RSS objects to Anuradha Gandhi memorial talk". dna. 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  10. ↑ "Gujarat elections 2017: RSS body moves EC against Archdiocese of Gandhinagar". DNA. 24 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "EC notice to archbishop for letter seeking prayers for election". The Indian Express. 26 November 2017.
  12. ↑ "Gujarat elections 2017: RSS-backed legal body issues notice to Archbishop of Gandhinagar". DNA. 6 December 2017.
  13. ↑ "WATCH: RSS 15 Point Letter Rips Into The Claims Made By The Archbishop". Republic TV. 27 November 2017.
  14. ↑ "LRO pens against Catholic Churches to EC: Why they are poking nose in Indian elections?". www.organiser.org.
  15. ↑ "Demand for NCPCR action against Mylliem schools".
  16. ↑ "21-yr-old gang raped".
  17. ↑ "RSS wants apology from Pope for 'the rape of women' by Christians".
  18. ↑ "Right-wing threatens Pope Francis over discrimination, rape cases against missionaries in North-East". India Today.
  19. ↑ "Vinay Joshi". www.newsbharati.com.
  20. ↑ "DNA EXCLUSIVE - Flashpoint Meghalaya: RSS vs missionaries - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". 21 December 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.