A public forum in support of Secularism and Human Rights in India was attended by South Asians and people concerned about South Asia from Toronto area. The forum was held this afternoon in the Council Chamber of York Municipal Building. It was a part of South Asia Heritage Month activities and was sponsored by International South Asia Forum (INSAF), South Asians in Ontario and South Asia Left Democratic Alliance (SALDA).

At the forum Mr. Sidharth Bhatia, a journalist who writes about social and political issues, provided the background to the recent communal strife in the state of Gujarat in India. He pointed out that for the past century in India, there have been many instances of violent communal conflicts, however, the agencies of Federal and State governments were able to deal with those situations because they had maintained their secular nature. Bhatia maintained that there has been a qualitative shift in the way the current crisis has bean dealt by the state of Gujarat. The government agencies, under the influence of fundamentalist political influence, have either become ineffectual or partial against the minority community.

Hon. Maria Minna, Member of Parliament, Beeches-Woodbine and Canada's former Minister for International Development, spoke at the meeting. Hon. Minna pointed out that Canadians with family-ties in India have considerable influence in that region and they must use it to help in the healing process. She pointed out that the relations between different communities should not be simply those of "tolerance" but those relations have to be that of acceptance and respect.

The meeting, moderated by Mr. Alok Mukherjee, former Acting Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, passed the following two resolutions.

1. Resolution in Support of Secularism in India

For a week in March murder and mayhem gripped the state of Gujarat. Over two thousand people from the minority community were killed by the frenzied mobs led by Hindu fundamentalists. Even after two months, Gujarat is still smoldering, tens of thousands of people who lost their homes and businesses are now living in squalid camps. They are still under attack and threatened by the very security forces who are meant to protect them. Aid given to these internally displaced people for their resettlement from within India and abroad is prevented from reaching them.

Based on the above background, we, the people concerned about Secularism and Human rights in South Asia demand that the Federal Government of India,

• Uphold India's secular Constitution and take immediate steps to protect its citizens and ensure that the violence against the minority community in the state of Gujarat is curbed.

• Bring to justice criminals who burned passengers on Sabarmati Express in Godhra and people who perpetrated subsequent massacre against the minority community.

• Take steps to prevent further harassment by law enforcement agencies of the people living in temporary shelters.

• Facilitate full and speedy rehabilitation of these internally displaced people in the state of Gujarat

2. Resolution in Support of Human Rights in India

For a week in March murder and mayhem gripped the state of Gujarat. Over two thousand people from the minority community were killed by the frenzied mobs led by Hindu fundamentalists. Even after two months, Gujarat is still smoldering, tens of thousands of people who lost their homes and businesses are now living in squalid camps. They are still under attack and threatened by the very security forces who are meant to protect them. Aid given to these internally displaced people for their resettlement from within India and abroad is prevented from reaching them.

Based on the above background, we, the people concerned about Secularism and Human rights in South Asia urge the Government of Canada to:

• Bring pressure on the Government of India to take immediate steps to ensure that the internally displaced people in the state of Gujarat are fully rehabilitated.

• Raise concerns with Commonwealth, United Nations and other world bodies about the state of human rights and protection of minority communities in the state of Gujarat.