Ever since Gandhiji was shot dead on January 30, 1948, meaningless
violence and intimidation in the name of faith continues to rage our
precious sub-continent. Gujarat is no exception. Citizens of Gujarat,
who have contributed richly and worldwide to the culture of
intermingling, tolerance, growth and progress believe in an inclusive
Gujarat, India and the world and stand against the prevalent culture of
intimidation, violence and threat. The rule of law is the first victim
and in such circumstances, no citizen is safe.

This diya (oil-lamp)/candle light march is a silent protest against
attempts to intimidate and harass peace loving citizens who work for
justice and harmony in the State. It is also a token protest to
highlight the fact that victims of the Gujarat carnage wait silently, in
peace, for justice. All over the state, Dalit and tribal protest is
being brutally stifled. In Dangs in southern Gujarat, a frightening
repeat of the 1998-1999 violent mobisation against a section of Dang is
is being systematically carried out. Gender driven violence continues
unabated all over the State with female foeticide ranking high as a
socially acceptable crime.

In spite of these ground-level realities, there is a desperate attempt
to project that all is well in Gujarat.

Four years after the carnage of 2002, we meet for this diya /candle
light protest to draw attention to the prevalent climate of threat,
intimidation and violence and to highlight the need for justice and peace.

We urge you to join us for this Silent Candle Light procession
on January 30^th 2006 from

6.00 pm. to 8.00 pm.

Date: January 30, 2006

Time: 6.00 p.m.

Venue: Sardar Baug, Opp. Roopalee Cinema, Ahmedabad

The march will end at Khamasa where there will be a short public meeting.

Spread the word around. Get as many of your friends / colleagues and
other peace-loving citizens to join in this silent march. (For those
participating, kindly bring along a candle and also banners / placards
with slogans / signs of / for Peace and also your organizational banner.

However, wherever you are - in other parts of Gujarat, India or the
world - we invite you to join us by lighting a diya (oil lamp) / candle
on January 30^th from 6.00 pm. to 8.00 pm. (1800 hrs to 2000 hrs) in
solidarity with all those suffering here and with a prayer that the
darkness of intimidation, hate and violence will soon end.

Swami Agnivesh, Valjibhai Patel (Council for Social Justice), Girish
Patel ( Lok Adhikar Sangh), Chunibhai Vaidya (Gujarat Lok Samiti),
Teesta Setalvad (Citizens for Justice and Peace), Ila Pathak (AWAG),
Cedric Prakash (Prashant), Sophia Khan (SAFR), Nandita Das (Activist),
Sheba George (SAHRWARU), Victor Moses (St Xaviers Social Service
Society), Willy (INSAF), Pushpabehn Bhat (KHOJ), Rajendra Prasad
(SAHMAT), Dwarika Nath Rath (MSD), Erwin Lasrado (Ashadeep Youth
Centre), Meera - Rafi(CFD), Meena Jagtap (DASTAK), Antony Arulraj,
(Hotline-Delhi), Hanif Lakdawala (IFIE), Joe Mattam (Gujarat Vidya Deep,
Baroda), Mansukh Rathod (Dalit Yuva Vikas Sangthan -Rajkot), Dr. Suman
Sahai (Gene Campaign-Delhi), Dorothy Fernandes (Jan Kalyan Gramin Vikas
Samiti-Patna), N. Goashowraiah (DSSSK-Khammam), Stanny J (Legal Aid and
Human Rights Centre), Gazala Paul (SAMERTH), Sebastian Amal Raj
(Behavioral Science Centre), Ginny Shrivastava (Astha Sansthan), Ashoke
Chatterjee, P. K.Jose (Bhagalpur Social Service Society), Nithiya
Sagayam (Justice & Peace Commission), Raju Deepti (Jeevantirth), Gratian
Vas (IGSSS), Director (Meerut Seva Samaj) and several other peace-loving
citizens and groups.

PRASHANT - A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace
Street Address : Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road,
Ahmedabad - 380052, Gujarat, India
Postal Address : P B 4050, Navrangpura PO, Ahmedabad - 380 009, Gujarat,
India