Workshop on “Human Rights in the North East of India” on Oct. 3

(Following is a Jamia press release dated Oct.1, 2012, received on Sept 28.) 

In the wake of disturbing trends in terms of violence including terrorism across and within nation states & the recent conflagration in Assam and the countrywide repercussions, the need for a sensitized democratic society to play a positive role in facing the new challenges and channelizing creative human potential is vital. With this as the backdrop, Jamia Millia Islamia’s Centre for North East Studies along with the Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women’s Studies is organizing a workshop on Human Rights in the North East of India from the 3rd to the 5th October 2012 in the FTK Auditorium.

The workshop will begin on the 3rd of October with a Peace March at 10 am from the Mirza Ghalib statue (main campus), road towards Jamia School, Ansari Health Centre, U turn, Administrative Block, into Ansari Auditorium Complex and culminate at MF Hussain Art Gallery, where an exhibition of photographs by three young women photographers who have worked on the North-east and conflict situations will be on display.

The workshop seeks to help develop a better understanding of some of the political processes in the North East region of India, which have led to conflicts and a difficult and often adversarial relationship between the State and ordinary people. The sessions will include a look at laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which has been in place since 1958 in much of the region and the Disturbed Areas Act.

The intended scheduled technical Sessions of the workshop are Women, Rights & Vulnerabilities in the conflict zones; Laws and Lawlessness (especially AFSPA); Settlers, Migrants & Indigenous; Tools for Conflict Transformation; Dialogues & Facilitation; Creating Scenarios & Role Play; Manufacturing Consent: Lack Of Peace and Growth of Poverty.

With Resource Persons from myriad fields – Police, NGO’s, Development Sector, Academic, bureaucrats, amongst others, the workshop would use different pedagogical tools beyond lectures. ‘A Measure of Impunity’ will be screened with an interactive discussion woven around it. A joint exhibition of photographs by three young women photographers who have worked on the North-east and conflict situations as well as on the vulnerability of women from the region in a city like Delhi will be show cased (in the M F Hussain Art Gallery, JMI – ongoing from 3rd to 5th October) and discussed in a technical Session. Buzz and larger group discussions, role play, panel discussions, and other interactive exercises like Brain storming, OHP Presentations, group activities will be undertaken.

With nominated Faculty members and Research Scholars/ PG students from across disciplines in Jamia Millia Islamia as participants, the idea is have a multiplier effect of the workshop and to sensitise the University on the issue of Human Rights in the North East of India.

The Valedictory Session will be addressed by Prof. Samir Das, Vice Chancellor of North Bengal University and Mr. Najeeb Jung, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia.

All are cordially invited.