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'You Have Blood On Your Hands, Sir'
The text of the letter to the Kerala Chief Minister protesting the brutal police action against Adivasi encroachers in the protected forests of Wayanad in Kerala. More Coverage

To
The Chief Minister
Government of Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram

27th February 2003

Dear Sir,

There are some moments in the life of a society when something happens to put its moral fibre on public display. This is one such moment.

The Muthanga atrocity will go down in Kerala's history as a government's attempt to decimate an extraordinary and historical struggle for justice by the poorest, most oppressed community in Kerala. It will go down in history because, unlike most 'struggles' in Kerala, it is not a petty, cynical fight between political parties jockeying for power. It is the real fight of the truly powerless against the powerful. It is the stuff of which myths are made.

I visited the Muthanga sanctuary (partly used as a eucalyptus plantation for Grasim's Gwalior Rayons factory, which has recently been closed) where the Kerala Police opened fire on hundreds of adivasis. I visited the Sultan Bathery hospital where the wounded have been admitted. I visited some adivasi settlements close to the sanctuary. I also visited the Calicut jail and met C.K. Janu and Geethanandan, both of whom are recovering after having been badly beaten by the police. Apart from this I spoke with several eyewitnesses to the firing.

For the Kerala Police to open fire on a group of hundreds of people including women, children, old people and infants is an act that has few parallels in recent history. The event that comes to mind is Jallianwallah Bagh. According to eyewitness accounts the official death toll of two is completely untrue. The people I spoke to reported a much higher toll. Had they belonged to any other community that mattered to mainstream political parties, the manner in which the crisis and its fallout were handled would have been quite different.

There is absolutely no justification or excuse for what happened. Even the police version of being provoked by a 'hostage' crisis is not a justification. To open fire like that with no attempt to negotiate shows a deep lack of respect for human life -- not just adivasi lives, but also the lives of the policeman and the forest official who were taken hostage. It is not the way governments in the past have dealt with kidnappings and hijackings by real militants. While those who killed the policeman must certainly be punished, you cannot hold all the people present there -- or the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha or indeed the entire adivasi community -- responsible for that act.

Survivors who I spoke to in hospital were less traumatised by their own injuries than by the fact that many of their family members including small children had gone missing. I met a man whose child had fallen from his arms when he was brought down by a police lathi and has been missing since then. There are others, women and old people missing. It is not known whether they are dead, or alive or hiding, hurt and hungry in the sanctuary.

A week has passed and no effort has been made to draw up lists of the missing and crosscheck them with jail and hospital records and reassure those who are rigid with grief and uncertainty about their loved ones. Can you even bear to think how you would feel in their place?

Meanwhile the police is terrorising adivasis in the region. Policemen enter settlements and arbitrarily arrest the men folk, beating them and dragging them away. Their families have no idea what has become of them. When we approached the villages we found ghost-settlements with only a few frightened women and children. The men who remained all ran away. It took a lot to persuade them that we were not government officials or police-informers. Clearly the intention is to stamp out the struggle completely. By visiting this kind of vicious reprisal on the whole community, the government hopes that people will blame their leaders for putting them on the path that lead to such terrible times for them. It is a ruthless political game by accomplished players.

Journalists and cameramen have been threatened and intimidated. After the firing they were denied access to the interiors of the sanctuary where people went to hide. For fifteen hours after the firing the place was closed to the media. Nobody knows what really happened during that period. In an attempt to terrorise members of civil society who may have any sympathies with the adivasis, the police have arrested a DIET (District Institute for Educational Training) lecturer K.K. Surendran. He was tortured in custody and reports say that he has a ruptured ear drum. At the moment he is being held in Kannur jail.

The result of this police-raj is that adivasis are too frightened to go to work. People are frightened to employ them. In effect, they are starving to death in their villages -- their ration cards have been burnt in the carnage. This is an exacerbation of the situation that led them to fight for the return of their alienated lands in the first place.

This is to urge you to immediately release people who have been held on baseless charges and see that they are able to return safely to their villages. Most have lost all their worldly possessions -- they have no food, no vessels to carry water, and no clothes to wear. (People and well-wishers had to take them clothes in jail). Everything has been burned and destroyed by the police in their 'action'.

Forgotten in the reportage about the carnage and its aftermath is the fact that this confrontation was the outcome of yet another cynical promise by the Government of Kerala to provide land to 53,000 adivasi families by the end of December 2002. It was another link in the chain of 28 years of unforgivable manipulation. Ours is a nation built on the jagged shards of politicians' broken promises.

You have blood on your hands, sir. You need to make amends. And quickly.

Yours truly,

(Signed)
Arundhati Roy

P.S: A small observation: In its eagerness to restore the Eucalyptus plantation to its pristine condition, apart from killing human beings, between bouts of firing the police squadron had a picnic lunch. The plastic cups and plates scattered on the 'eco-sensitive' battlefield tell a story. This one meal by the guardians of the State produced more non- biodegradable waste than the homes and worldly possessions of one thousand adivasis families.

Arundhati Roy

Filed In:
Authors: Arundhati Roy
Tags: Kerala Tribals
Section: National
Subsection: Opinion
Places: Kerala
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Daily Mail
COLLAPSE COMMENTS :
HAVE YOUR SAY
Mar 06, 2003 12:00 AM
1
Attagirl! This is the kind of kickass, grassroots, bottom-up democratic activism that Roy needs to practise...Instead of the endless, meandering sermonising that she, nevertheless, eloquently puts across on issues like India's nuclear policy and global affairs. To take on powerful, vested interests by using her prominence and powers of articulation is just what is needed for public personalities like her, to make India a truly open, democratic society.
JS
Milwaukee, USA
Mar 06, 2003 12:00 AM
2
Dear Ms. Roy

Thank you once again for bringing to light something that would have been drowned in the din of the communal agenda that the BJP is whipping up.

In India, it seems its not just Hindu vs Muslim, Its human against human, rather an inhuman politico - police nexus vs humans. India is going mad and there seems to be no hope of a solution.

The last glimmers of hope were states like Kerala where 100 % literacy was supposed to mean one last stand for progress. Here too politics has extinguished that hope.
We are doomed ...

May God help those helpless adivasi souls in these testing times ...that's the only hope in hell that we have ...

Sure after all its God's own country isn't it ?

And Ms. Roy - thank you ....atleast now we know ..

Ravi
Singapore, Singapore
Mar 06, 2003 12:00 AM
3
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
,
Mar 06, 2003 12:00 AM
4
From whatever I have read about Mr.Anthony, he seems a good man. Hope he does the right thing by the Adivasis. If he doesn't, his party doesn't get my vote in the coming elections for Delhi.
Thanks to Arundhati for raising the issue.
Rahul Joshi
Delhi, India
Mar 06, 2003 12:00 AM
5
For the first time ever, I have actually not disliked Ms Roy for what she has written. I think every public figure should restrict himself or herself to what he or she has a legitimate right to comment upon; not hijack his/her public status to pontificate on topics about which he/she has no moral / ethical credibility such as dams, globalisation, or nuclear policies - that is politics. Stick to such supporting of the 'really' oppressed - stick to such highlighting of the atrocities that a state can commit on its citizens - and next time, why don't you try, for example, the dreariness, helplessness, 'wish-I-was-anywhere-but-here' feeling that an ordinary Indian faces when he visits any Govt or Municipal office? I guarantee that Ms Roy will get enough purple prose inspirations to earn her three more Bookers !!
Ashutosh
Bombay, India
Mar 06, 2003 12:00 AM
6
I just want to fuck her in the ass in the forests of Kerala, what is her email address? I heard that she has a good,solid grip on a real hard on. Ms. Roy I want you baby.
Sandy
Kochi, India
Mar 06, 2003 12:00 AM
7
sandy

Why do you need her e-mail? r u planning to e-mail your semen to her?
,
Mar 07, 2003 12:00 AM
8
Arundhathi Roy has again exercised her verbal skills in the form of a letter to the Chief Minister of Kerala. Fortunately it is not long enough to be published in the form of a book. Now that she is well hyped by the media, she can catch attention at her will.
It is true that shooting at Muthanga was unfortunate and could be avoided if the govt. had been more wise and just towards to the oppressed.
But comparing the incident with Jalianwala Bagh is too coarse to digest. Lucky she did not compare C K Janu to Jhansi Rani and Geethanandan to Bhagat Singh.
It is high time that Arundhathi enter politics and satisfy her own little megalomaniacal mind.
Chief ministers hands are bloodied but to those who intimidated the poor adivasis to risk their lives, their hearts are bloddless!
Bravo...Goddess of 'little' things!
Esthappan
Ayamanam, India
Mar 07, 2003 12:00 AM
9
Sir,

Ms. Roy has written an excellent letter. But, unfortunately it sounds highly biased and a failure in considering many facts.

1. She has not mentioned anything about the encroachment of the rare and precious Muthanga sactuary by the Adivasis for more than a month. Remember she is renowned as a protector of nature and bio diversity.

2. She has not mentioned anything about the trained Adivasis who attacked police with all kinds of primitive weapons and threatened to set fire on two government servants badly injured and bleeding, in their attack.

4. She has not mentioned anything about the police finding, that there were organisations like PWG involved in the Adivasis 'fight' for land.

4. She has not mentioned anything about the good things Mr. Antony has done for the Adivasis, like his decision to distribute land to Adivasis and the beginning of the programme.

5.She has not mentioned anything about the crooked and manipulative Adivasi leaders, who've brainwashed poor Adivasis and took them to the forest offering land and left them to face the armed police force.

She should've considered all aspects before writing such a letter making statements fiting to historic drama heroes.
Reji Varghese
Boston, US
Mar 08, 2003 12:00 AM
10
Madam:
Adding your voice to the protests over the plight of the Advasis is appreciable. Indeed, there’s a case in the context for intervention by someone who is as visible and heard like you are.

But in this case I think you should also look at the other side of the story. That the Adivasis occupied the area, built huts and stayed there for over 45 days and the government spared them for so long because they’re Adivasis (it’s another matter that the government was accused of inaction then!). That their movement started to assume a violent posture and peaceful overtures were responded to with arrogance and defiance. That a number of environmentalists and local supporters have turned their foes lately.

Indeed, the government promised them land allocation within year 2002. I am no supporter of the UDF government. But you can’t be oblivious of the government’s good intentions in this case. Over 1700 acres were already distributed and efforts have been continuing to find and distribute more land. Adivasis have no land, but who has land in Kerala? What about the landless non-Adivasis?

The police didn’t attack them right away. The hostages were tied, tortured and fire was lit around them and it was a ghastly act. The area was protected by bow and arrow wielding volunteers. Negotiations were on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to resolve the problem. But they wouldn’t listen.

When one sees police in such large numbers, one should sense the mood and trouble. What did those Adivasis think then, I don’t know. That the police were there picnicking? Adivasis or non-Adivasis, if you hurt police, you got it! It’s a universal given and more so when you’re in the wrong. The leaders of the Adivasis failed to get the message in time.

But I’m with you on the remaining issues. Like stopping the journalists, repeatedly beating the fallen men, hitting the women and children on their head and throwing them in the jail, haunting the men-folks in their huts, torturing Janu and Geethanandan and Surendran (even though I am inclined to condone a couple of slaps for them!), etc. etc.

And the blood on Antony’s hands? Well, some of it is not so innocent!

Kurien V.
Kurien V
,
Mar 08, 2003 12:00 AM
11
ITs very nicely written by arundhati roy. But still I don't understand why policemen had open fired against adivasis...
Absolutely because of a few miscreants one couldn't blame whole society and take action against them.......
Pratik Sheth
Pilani, India
Mar 09, 2003 12:00 AM
12
Eye opener. Most of the middle class and articulate Keralites seem to need this to jolt them to the reality.
nnair
mumbai, india
Mar 09, 2003 12:00 AM
13
It's funny to see certain people on this board, who in every other issue seem to support Ms. Roy, but when it comes to this (one that hits closer to home) one they take her to task.

Read this for another viewpoint on why the tribals are so enraged:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/fe b/28rajeev.htm

I don't always agree with Ms. Roy but at least she seems to be trying to be an equal opportunity critic, in this case taking on her own community.


-
,
Mar 09, 2003 12:00 AM
14
Sorry, the link to the tribal rage article should read:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/feb/2 8rajeev.htm
-
,
Mar 09, 2003 12:00 AM
15
Aagh! The link should read:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/feb/2 8rajeev.htm

(no spaces)
-
,
Mar 09, 2003 12:00 AM
16
www.rediff.com/news/2003/feb/28rajeev.htm
,
Mar 10, 2003 12:00 AM
17
I am unaware of the issues here. But I wonder why Arundhati Ray is silent on USA's attempt to "disarm" Saddam through direct military efforts when her world "died" because India did the nuclear tests.

I will repeat as I have done before that she is not worth reading and worth publishing.
Mano Mishra
Redmond, USA
Mar 10, 2003 12:00 AM
18
It is horrible to learn about the atrocities of the Keral Police. It good that Ms. Roy had taken up the case with the Chief Minsiter. Even if the Adivasis had occupied the land illegally and had verbally/physically provoked the Police, shooting at them is totally unjustified! And to think that the Kerala Government has not acted on this makes it more shameful, that too with a Christian at the top! I wouldn't agree with people who criticize Ms Roy. Whatever be her demerits atleast she had stood up against it and had the courage to write to the CM. She raised her voice !She is better than people sitting in cozy sofa's in their posh houses and just critize every good act!
Danny
MD, USA
Mar 10, 2003 12:00 AM
19
Congratulations to Arundhati Roy for yet again exposing the Kerala Police and administration of the brutality they are capable of. I doubt that there is any other state in India, except maybe the lawless, illiterate state of Bihar, that has such a terrifying record of police brutality as Kerala. And what's ironic is that Kerala is the most literate state in the country. Years and years of the print media exposing the true nature of the Kerala Police (for the Nazis that they are) has not brought about any changes in their administration or the way they function. I am surprised that Amnesty International hasn't yet noticed this aspect of the Kerala Police and exposed them to the international community.

Quite frankly, the politicians and Police administration of Kerala deserve to be severely punished for their years of corruption and for torturing civilians who "dare" to speak up for their rights.

Shame on you, Kerala. You are not "God's own country". You are a "country" of ghouls and demons (read politicians and police).
James Pal
Mumbai, India
Mar 10, 2003 12:00 AM
20
Illiterated and un-educated persons always sought for violence. If you are staying in a forest or in a city, where the property is not belongs to you, and you stay there years of years without showing any evidence that the property or land is belonging to you Is a punishable matter.
And if the so called adhivasis are the part of BJP AND RSS propaganda to attack and encroach the land is un-tolerated. So,instead of calling indian army only kerala police to take control. So Mr. antony's government is 100 percentage wright. and all the culprits supporting the encroachment and people who writes on behalf of supporting the encroaching land adhivasis also should be punished.
GHALIBALMASHOOR
kuwait32088, kuwait
Mar 10, 2003 12:00 AM
21
Dear Mrs Arundati Roy,

I have read a lot of your stories. I have a feeling that you have a very soft nature. I wish to remind u that a soft nature is good for making weak soceities which is fit for slavery. We have had a long stint of slavery and I don't want mother India to bore another stint because of spine less attitude of yours. The safety, Glory and Welfare of the nation comes first always and everytime. As per manu dharm " a village can be sacrificed if a district is to be saved. It is this attitude of the learned elite that has attached the image of a soft state with India. It is journalist like you who forced the cowardice act of handing over the terrorist in exchange of hostages in kandahar.
It is very nice to be magnanimous, but very difficult to be firm and to aim towards the sole goal of NATIONAL GLORY. please don't get involved in your cheap tactics of getting publicity. If you are so noble part with what you have got monetarilywith the poor people and then advocate magnanimity. I found most f the journalist write in lenght about magnanimity and then do things otherwise when it comes to their own life.
Take care in your future writings

Sekar
SEKAR SHASTRI
chennai, India
Mar 10, 2003 12:00 AM
22
sister arundhati,
We all really get shocked with the atrocity at muthanga against the most oppressed and powerless people. Since we are away from kerala, we just hoped for voice and activities against the ongoing police torturing towards adivasi people and their leaders including c.k.janu and geethanandan. We all found nothing but faint voices from some alternative and dalit organizations really supporting them.

We all craved for you go and lead the agitation so that, we believe, the injustice to adivasi people can be listened to a wider range. And you went to there and spoke, dressed in red, like a mysterious Jesus among the crowd. Thank you.

Even an instant, quick, and rush letter from you is considered/expected as theoretically deep and calculated. People get upset when they see c.k.janu speaks to ministers and when she is compared to freedom-fighters like bagatsingh. But we, like you, do have the concern about her and other adivasi’s situation in jail.
anees
,
Mar 14, 2003 12:00 AM
23
Sir,
I am a fan of Ms. Roy and has followed her career throughout and read her novel and most of the essays. But this letter is not from the Ms. Roy I have read earlier. I have listed below the points on which I think she erred.

1. This was an armed uprising against a democratic government. Not a 'hostage' crisis problem as suggested by the author.
2. The rebels claimed autonomy to government land and prohibited the entry of government officials in the property. They arrested the government servants who went about their duty, for not adhering to the diktats of the rebels. Reminds me of the uprising of the Sri Lankan Tamils. Armed and organized rebellion against the democratic government should not be tolerated.
3. Jallianwallah Bagh was a peaceful gathering and I do not find any parallels to this armed struggle. In Jallianwallah Bagh, they didn’t kill any British.
4. The leaders of the struggle were beat up by the police – which police force will treat them with respect if they kill a policeman by hacking him down? Neither in India, nor in US or in any country in the world for that matter.
5. The police have arrested a DIET (District Institute for Educational Training) lecturer. He is undergoing the judicial process in the country. If you do not agree with that, then you should try to fix the root problem. We do not know if he is guilty or not, but he is a suspect to the crime and the police has produced him before the court and the court has remanded him to custody. Ms. Roy should not question the verdict of the court again. After all she bailed out when she was ordered to go to jail!
6. Immediately release people who have been held on baseless charge – Is Ms. Roy the person who is deciding whether the charges that the police filed before the court are baseless. The court found there is sufficient reason to remand them to custody.
7. The Picnic Lunch – What does she suggest the police do? Do not eat! They would have loved food wrapped in biodegradable banana leaves, or rather eat from their own home. Please do not ridicule the underpaid policeman who is doing his duty.

Blind opposition of authority does not augur well for a person of Ms. Roy’s stature. A citizen has his rights as well as his responsibilities. Do not forget your responsibilities.
Toban Emmanuel
Charlotte, USA
Mar 15, 2003 12:00 AM
24
It sure is an immaturity of a one thinking of him/herself a fan of somebody, who, though, is extraordinary like arundhati roy. It sure is his/poor understanding of arundhati’s uncompromising stand with the adivasi and dalit, after reading all her essays and GOST.

1. Not only arundhati, but many others including some opposition leaders like veerendrakumar has clearly stated that no group/people will do ‘armed uprising’ with their infants, kids and the aged.
2. Adivasis at vayanad have been under continuous and historical oppression of land seizing and cheated by repetitive promises of land and right. You can see thousands of incidents where democratically elected government acted undemocratically on its own people. If anybody think that democratically elected government will do all justice to the society, there will be no justification for the existence of mass movements of social justice and marginalized people.
3. It was clear that they requested many times for medical assistance for the injured adivasis, policeman and forest officers, but rejected and started firing indiscriminately. The sickles, sharpened sticks and other primitive stuff they had were not meant for attacking police force with guns. Living in forest is not like living in city.
4. arundhati has not justified the killing of policeman, but she stood with adivasis in their course to justice. And if one has no concern about the social and historical injustice and the lives of adivasis, why the hell he should be listened for his concern about the policeman.
5/6. if anybody think that court, police and all other state apparatus are free of bias and absolutely ideal, that’s the end of democratic discourses.
7. politics of environment take everything including eucalyptus plantation and using plastics at eco-sensitive areas in to account. read about plastic use and its eco-hostile role.
anees
,
Mar 15, 2003 12:00 AM
25
PLEAE CORRECT MY FIRST PARAGRAPH AS BELOW:

It sure is an immaturity of one thinking of him/herself a fan of somebody, who, though, is extraordinary like arundhati roy. It sure is his/her poor understanding of arundhati’s uncompromising stand with the adivasi and dalit, after reading all her essays and GOST.
anees
,
Mar 15, 2003 12:00 AM
26
Dear Arundhati, Before crucifying the chief minister Antony who may or may not have some vested interests, please try to clear the mess in kerala media and journalism world which is full of crooks, mafia men and vested political and financial interests.
According to my friends from Kerala, there are two cases that deserve your attention if you have the courage and integrity to take them up.One, there is a media magnate who runs a newspaper in your state and he is known to have encroached thousands of hectres of adivasi or tribal land, like the powerful christian land lords, and he asks willing or bribed journalists to write about the plight and misery of tribals and adivasis, while keeping with himself all the vast amount of encroached tribal land!!. This magnate has a powerful leftist, pseudo-secular lobby to support him and that shows how much these liberal people ssupport Adivasi or tribal cause.
Another case, my friends say is the example of corruption and lack of integrity of kerala media world. They say there was a report in a television channel and newspapers of a man who ran away from a gulf country, by stealing crores of rupees illegally and he bought a major share in a television channel in that state and he is controlling that channel now. He is busy interviewing all the powerful men and ministers in the state and central government and is trying his best to be friends with all powerful men in politics and government. Reason, he wants to avoid being arrested and sent to the foreign country although he has an arrest warrant from Interpol!!!This is the sorry state of media in kerala and india and any criminal can take control of it and live happily for ever, being nice people in the eyes of the public! Arundhathi, before correcting some what nice people like Antony ,at least try your best to correct the indian media and journalists who are neck deep in dirt and lack of integrity!
,
Mar 16, 2003 12:00 AM
27
is antony still considered nice and innocent? he proved himself the most dangerous man of leading the whole kerala to the clutches of ADB and other river-selling developments through conciliatory way of smiling and innocence. let us just ignore the bloody persecute the kerala police is on, under the leadership of his innocent wings.
anees
,
Mar 16, 2003 12:00 AM
28
As one reader mentioned earlier, Arundhati if she is sincere she must fight, using ther pen the corruption and filth in journalism and media and writer mafias in her home state Kerala as well as in other states in india and then fight for the real justice of tribals and adivasis without looking at their religious or caste colour. Can she do it, and will she have the courage to do the fight, let us see!!

Chandrika Bose
,
Mar 16, 2003 12:00 AM
29
we realize the role of arundhati in the particular, regional and grass-root level struggles in india and abroad. a james bond (not pierce brosnan) can move around with absolute digital accuracy and guns to win the fights, but not arundhati. did anybody notice how the muthanga atrocity brought out in western media? she could very much draw the attention of international community and delh rulers to the injustice at muthanga.
we know how much her visit to muthanga helped to grow spirit of pro-adivasi and other human right activities througout kerala. we owe a lot to her.
people who just sit relax and judge the events wont be able to realize the active and critical role of arundhati.
anees
,
Mar 16, 2003 12:00 AM
30
As a keralite, I am ashamed to hear about the filth and corruption and lack of morals and mafia type action osf kerala media people and writers, as described by some readers in the outlook in various articles. Is kerala fit to be called a literate state or is it a mafia state of pseudo,commie intellectuals? I am also ahmed to hear of those crooked, unscrupulous media personalities mentioned by one reader earlier. Is there a justicee system in kerala or is it a banana state or a jungle where anybody with money and political connections can get away with murder and loot??

(Sebastian,New York)
,
Mar 17, 2003 12:00 AM
31
even the limited role of kerala media was not permitted at muthanga. media personnel were physically attacked by kerala police. is it the right situation where we can talk about free and unbiased kerala media?
anees
,
Mar 17, 2003 12:00 AM
32
Some of the comments on this page just show what small minds some Indians have. There are more civilised ways to disagree. The words do not say anything about Ms. Roy - but they sure speak volumes about the writers of maila mail
S. Janki
Mumbai, India
Mar 17, 2003 12:00 AM
33
these responses are about arundhati's letter to kerala cm ak antony on muthanga event, not personally about arundhati.
anees
,
Mar 17, 2003 12:00 AM
34
" I know all " That is the writing of this highly inflated writer who is antiprogress , antilaw of the land and antipeople proven who does not care for people in Gujarat and antiwomen because she does not care for millions of mothers who have to walk far distance to get bucket of water for families. Tell her move to western countries and become champion of all the suffering mankind faces. India will be better of without her.
She has lost my respect for her as a writer and she has lost her wisdom blinded by unrealistic cure for every problem poor faces in India. I do not know all the facts about issue she writing in this article but I do not have faith in her ability to analyse facts.
Dr. Shah
phoenix, USA
Mar 18, 2003 12:00 AM
35
Antiprogress?! If the progress means dry out completely the source of water in a locality for a bottling giant’s profit and 1000 employees of that company, we are anti-progress. And if the progress of generating electricity for the rich by displacing the tribals, yeah we are.
No big dam is meant for philanthropic attempt of providing drinking water to the poorest Indian village mothers, who have to walk far distance to get bucket of water for families (please read ‘greater common good’ for statistics).
We don’t care nationalistic feelings, but we do care the injustice to the people, no matter which boundary they are within. so we look at arundhati when we see firing at muthanga and micheal corrie gets buldozed in israel.
anees
,
Mar 18, 2003 12:00 AM
36
What chief minister Antony said is right, there is a big media and commie writer mafia which is playing a cruel game to topple him. It is not a coincidence that the television channel that is crucifying the chief minister is run by a crook who ran away from a gulf country with crores of rupees of stolen money and he has an arest warrant!! May be Antony wants to hand him over to Interpol and to the gulf country and the media mafia and commie writer mafia is after Antony to malign him and bring down his government through wicked means. Media mafia is very powerful in kerala and so is the writer mafia which specialises in dividing all the acdemy and state awards between them and their friends.TThis division of acke between friends has been going on in the state for many years now as any unbiased writer knows. The commies have manged to penetrate even the kendriya sahitya academy and other acdemic institutions of culture and arts too if one anlyzes the recent situations and award announcements. But people have faith in integrity of Antony and they know that crooks cannot survive long under his chief ministership and that is why they are planning all the wicked and cruel games with their henchmen in the media and journalism world.Continue your good work, Antony.

(Sebastian, New York)
,
Mar 19, 2003 12:00 AM
37
keep the gud work of firing adivasis and selling kerala rivers up. despite we expected he wud be comparetively the better democratic cm for kerala, he turned to be the monster.
anees
,
Mar 19, 2003 12:00 AM
38
Anees, you are pathetic to say the least. :)
Priya Krishanmurthy
Philadelphia, USA
Mar 20, 2003 12:00 AM
39
yes priya, cuz u get no choice, but arundhati.
anees
,
Mar 20, 2003 12:00 AM
40
The article is outrageous. You may have won the Booker prize, maybe famous,rich, maybe noted for your comments, but what you have told in the article is real nonsense. Please keep up the standards for which you are known. Any uprising against any government is handled in manners much worse than this. Why have you not condemned the actions of people in the media and politicians who have fanned the situation which led to the brutal killing of the dear Police Constable. You should have a kin in Police to know the feelings. Please do not opine where u r not sure.
Mathew George
Wayanad, Kerala
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