who is binayak sen and what is all the fuss about?

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WHO IS BINAYAK SEN AND WHAT IS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT

Dr Binayak Sen (CMC Vellore batch of ‘66) : 

Dr Binayak Sen (CMC Vellore batch of ‘66) Marco Island GOTC, 199x Class Picnic at Amirthi, c1970

Dr. Binayak Sen: The Early Years. : 

Dr. Binayak Sen: The Early Years. 1966-1975: medical student Christian Medical College, Vellore (Tamilnadu, India) Graduated with MBBS degree in 1971. Completed postgraduate degree in paediatrics in 1975, winning the University gold medal.

The Middle Years : 

The Middle Years 1975-1979: Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi, India) 1975-1977: Postgraduate studies in social medicine and community health. 1977-1979: Faculty member, Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health, JNU

1979: Move to Madhya Pradesh(Chhattisgarh area) : 

1979: Move to Madhya Pradesh(Chhattisgarh area) Tuberculosis control programmes Mineworkers’ health Adivasi (tribal) health

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Where Is Chhattisgarh?

Where is Chhattisgarh? : 

Where is Chhattisgarh? Originally called Dakshin Kosala, history can be traced back to the 4th century AD. Previously a region of Madhya Pradesh. Although considered poor/ backward, Chhattisgarh has enormous mineral and forest wealth. Said to have been carved out of MP for the primary purpose of “development” of these resources. Dalli Rajahara mines supply iron ore for the Bhilai Steel Plant. Until the early 1980s: Mineworkers had no health care. Mining accidents were common. Many deaths from diarrhea and lack of oral rehydration. High incidence of fetal hypoxia and death due to indiscriminate use of pitocin during labor.

What was a CMC alumnus doing in Chhattisgarh? : 

What was a CMC alumnus doing in Chhattisgarh? Shaheed Hospital“An Initiative By the Workers For Their Own Health Care” 1983: Inaugurated - 10 beds in Dalli Rajahara mining area. Supported by workers: no charitable funds or grants. Doctors lived among the mineworkers. 2004: 90 beds, OR, pharmacy (& staff quarters). Open to ALL within a 100 km radius Later, satellites in other areas Bhilai, Kumhari, Urla Not to be ministered unto but to minister

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FAMILY: Ilina, Aparajita, Binayak, Pranhita

Rupantar : 

Rupantar 1989: NGO started in Raipur: Nagri Sihawa Block. People displaced by dam-building in the upper Mahanadi catchment area. Previous health services practically non-existent. Rupantar allied with existing organizations. Not to be ministered unto but to minister

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RUPANTAR: Community Meeting (Health, Education, Farming)

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Binayak at his Health Clinic

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Health Education and Training: In Animated Conversation

Rupantar : 

Rupantar Trained, deployed, monitored community health workers in 20 villages. Provided referral backup for these workers. Basic medical lab with full-time technician. Routine cases: Falciparum malaria, sputum positive TB, LRI in young children, diarrhea, malnutrition, prenatal care. Not to be ministered unto but to minister

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Laboratory Assistants: Tuberculosis and Malaria Diagnosis

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Lab Technician: Hard at Work in the Field

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Laboratory Assistants: Tuberculosis and Malaria Diagnosis

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A Busy Health Camp

Rupantar : 

Rupantar Promoting grain biodiversity Organic Farming - Collect and characterize the ex situ preservation of indigenous land races of rice seed and other food crops in a cluster of selected villages. - Strengthen existing processes and initiate community-based grain banks and public distribution systems based on women’s organisations. - Generate awareness of the importance of indigenous biodiversity in food and agriculture. - Develop a larger project to advocate on food security issues at state level.

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Preserving the Diversity of Rice

Rupantar : 

Rupantar Reducing Violence Against Women Dr. Ilina Sen

Dr. Binayak Sen, Medical Humanitarian : 

Dr. Binayak Sen, Medical Humanitarian Serving marginalized population in a deprived area. Developing innovative and self-sustaining health care systems for mine workers and Adivasis. Training local community health workers to provide health care, with medical backup. Providing free clinics where no other services are available.

Slide 23: 

Mithanin (Health Workers): Consultants for the Chhattisgarh State Health Program

Paul Harrison Award, CMC : 

Paul Harrison Award, CMC

Meanwhile in Chattisgarh…. : 

Meanwhile in Chattisgarh….

Development Initiatives in the State….Development of the rich mineral resourcesBUTWithout the participation of the local people who are some of the poorest in the country : 

Development Initiatives in the State….Development of the rich mineral resourcesBUTWithout the participation of the local people who are some of the poorest in the country

Peoples resistance leads to state sponsored violence and the Salwa Judum…. : 

Peoples resistance leads to state sponsored violence and the Salwa Judum….

Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 : 

Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 The State and society are facing the grave problem of Naxalite violence. In the face of this, the State enacted the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act of 2005. It was approved by the President of India.

Conditions of the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 : 

Conditions of the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 2-7 years of imprisonment without proof of intent or definite committing of certain acts Prohibits media from reporting on ‘unlawful activities’ or banned Maoist activities Restricts the right to hold public meetings, organize public protests and oppose government policies through the media

Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 : 

Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 CRIME is defined as: committing an act, uttering words, writing or making visual representations that may create risk or danger for public order, peace, public tranquility or create an impediment in the administration of law or institutions. Essentially unlimited power reverts to the State Government!

Commentary on the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 : 

Commentary on the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 “We believe that it may become a potential instrument to throttle the right to free speech, legitimate dissent and trample the fundamental rights.” - Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 : 

Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005 “Under no circumstances has gagging the media and silencing journalists furthered the objective of tackling armed conflict. It is only when democratic debate and the free flow of accurate information are made possible that the cause of democracy is furthered” - Christian Warren, International Federation of Journalists (president)

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRESDOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS : 

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRESDOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS 9th Annual Special Report: TOP TEN Most Under-Reported Humanitarian Stories of 2006 Clashes in Central India In central India's Chhattisgarh state, clashes between Maoist insurgents, Indian security forces and anti-Maoist militias, also known as Salwa Judum, has been occurring for more than 25 years, resulting in the displacement, sometimes reportedly forced, of more than 50,000 civilians. Others flee into neighboring states while thousands of people have lost their livelihoods and have little access to their land, food, essential health care, or emergency medical services... Surprisingly, the situation in Chhattisgarh is only one of several armed conflicts occurring throughout India for years, with civilians caught between various belligerent parties. As a consequence, many people continue to live in an atmosphere of fear and violence with little or no access to health care.

Frontline, March 2006 : 

Frontline, March 2006 "These senseless killings are unfortunate and must stop. Both sides should sit down to talk and find a way to peace" said Vinayak Sen, a PUCL activist in Raipur (source: PURNIMA S. TRIPATHI in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. Writing inthe magazine FRONTLINE, Volume 23 - Issue 05 :: Mar. 11 - 24, 2006)

May 14, 2007: Dr. Binayak Sen Arrested in ChhattisgarhUnder ‘Public Security Act’ : 

May 14, 2007: Dr. Binayak Sen Arrested in ChhattisgarhUnder ‘Public Security Act’ WHY ??!!

What Was He Doing There?! : 

Building hospitals still being successfully run by mine & factory workers. Training people in villages to look after the health of their own communities. Running free clinics in areas where medical facilities are not available. Defending the rights of citizens. Urging the state to observe its own legal obligations to grant habeas corpus. Ensuring proper treatment of under-trial prisoners. … What Was He Doing There?!

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Honourable President of India Honourable Prime Minister of India President, National Human Rights Commission Honourable Governor, Chhattisgarh Subject: Safety and liberty of Dr. Binayak Sen, General Secretary of the Chhattisgarh PUCL and Vice-President of the National PUCL who has been imprisoned. Respected Sirs, This letter is to request your good offices on behalf of a very respected and beloved old student of Christian Medical College, Vellore who has been imprisoned this afternoon (May 14, 2007) at Bilaspur for activities in defense of the rights and liberties of tribal people in Chhattisgarh.His name is Binayak Sen. He had a distinguished academic career in Vellore, graduating in Medicine and later acquiring an M.D. in Paediatrics. From 1976 to 1978, he was a faculty member at the Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He left his academic appointment to work in a community based rural health centre in Hoshangabad district of M.P. focusing on problems of tuberculosis…. http://home.cmcvellore.ac.in/petition/petitionpage1.html More than 2,000 signatures to date Online Petition Started at CMC

What happened? : 

Bail denied first time. Granted by the Supreme Court the second time. Case dragged on and on.......many witnesses turn hostile No evidence to substantiate the charges Verdict given on 24th December 2010. What happened?

WHAT ARE OUR COURTS DOING TODAY : 

WHAT ARE OUR COURTS DOING TODAY Judged by the opinion of the two judges who constituted the real, as distinguished from the ostensible, majority of the three-member special full bench of the Allahabad high court, the 30th september 2010 verdict in the Babri Masjid title suit qualifies, in every sense, to be described as the judicial equivalent of the Ram janmabhoomi movement, which has had a highly ‘creative’ character. Religious imagination and fervour have served to make up for a defict of rationality, logic and historic evidence, with clerics turning into historians and judges becoming clerics. A close examination of the judgement shows much of it stands on flimsy legal grounds, and it would hardly be tenable if not supported by some very specious reasoning. Anupam Gupta, an advocate who was counsel for the Liberhan Commission. Dissecting the Ayodhya Judgement (EPW December 11th 2010)

SECULARISM AND THE INDIAN JUDICIARY : 

SECULARISM AND THE INDIAN JUDICIARY The judgement of the Allahabad high Court of 30th September 2010 in the Babri masjid-Ram janmabhoomi case has put the final seal on the acts of installation of statues and demolition of the mosque. N accordance with our constitutional scheme one seeks remedial measures from the judiciary when the executive or even the legislature commits illegal acts. But what can one do when the judiciary itself commits illegal acts? What is worse is that this verdict is the latest addition to a series of judgements by the highest courts in India which cast doubts on the secular character of the Indian judicial system. P A Sebastian is a lawyer and democratic rights activist based in Mumbai Secularism and the Indian judiciary (EPW, December 11th 2010)

IDOLS IN LAW : 

IDOLS IN LAW The findings and orders of the special full bench of the Allahabad High Court on the successful Bhagawan Sri Ram suit and the dismissal of the Wakf Board suit demand close examination. Central to the final order are two findings-that the disputed site in Ayodhya is the birthplace of Ram, and that it is a juridical entity. Both conclusions are of extremely doubtful legal tenability. In addition, it is on the basis of the dubious legal proposition of faith and belief that the court arrives at a finding of lawful and legal ownership. The placing of idols in the disputed site in 1949 was as much an act of illegality as the events of 6th December 1992, but the court gingerly steps around them. In short, its september 2010 verdict surrenders judicial soundness and integrity for political expedience. Gautam Patel, a practicing lawyer Idols in Law(EPW 11th December 2010)

ISSUES OF FAITH : 

ISSUES OF FAITH For those who have chosen to explore the implications of the Allahabad High Court’s verdict on the Ram janmabhoomi-Babri masjid dispute, one of the issues that have been particularly troubling is the question of faith. What is faith? What are the contexts in which it is invoked? And why are some of the implications of such invocations matters of concern? This paper focuses on the narrow perspective from which the richness and diversity of Hindu beliefs and practices have been represented in this verdict Though many feel that the Ayodhya verdict has been successful in maintaining peace and harmony in turbulent times, what is distressing are the circuitous, even blatantly partisan ways in which faith has been brought centre stage within the legal discourse Kumkum Roy Centre for Historical Studies, JNU New Delhi Issues of faith (EPW 11th December 2010)

What Was He Doing The Last Year? : 

Speaking to various groups across the country about human rights. Helping CMC to develop a medical humanities curriculum for the training of doctors. Towards this he initiated a project for the students during their mission hospital posting on the social determinants of health. What Was He Doing The Last Year?

Why Should Doctors Get Mixed up in All This Political Stuff? : 

Why Should Doctors Get Mixed up in All This Political Stuff? “One of the noblest attributes of our profession is practical humanity towards the poor. The medical man is often, in truth, the natural defender of the poor and needy against oppressive laws…” Anonymous. The Lancet, 1850, i: 23 “Promotion and protection of health are inextricably linked to promotion and protection of human rights and dignity.” Mann J et al, Health and Human Rights, 1994: 1 (1): 7-23 “…when the ‘rights and dignity’ of people are undermined there is frequently an implication for the health of the community and responsibilities for its health workers.” Kandela PK. The Lancet, 1998: 175 (352): sii7-sii11

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helping doctors make better decisions Citations 1-10 of 203 total displayed. Citations 1-10 of 203 total displayed. Citations 1-10 of 203 total displayed. Human Rights Human Rights - 251 articles Medical consequences of conflict – 455 articles Doctors, interrogation, and torture - Luis Justo BMJ 2006;332;1462-1463 Medical associations’ statements on human rights are welcome, but we all need to do more to prevent abuses. It is our duty as doctors to reject any attempt to bend our ethical aim to do no harm and to alleviate suffering. We should also actively resist any attempt, however powerful, to corrupt the idea of human dignity. Zimbabwe set to outlaw human rights organisations - Caroline White BMJ  2004;329:1308  A new bill, which would criminalise non-governmental organisations working to promote human rights and ban overseas agencies from funding local groups, is set to become law in Zimbabwe before the end of the year.

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Editorial - Humanitarian aid: some political realities Richard J Brennan and Egbert Sondorp BMJ 2006; 333: 817-818. Humanitarian aid has become more politicised. Humanitarian workers cannot reverse this alone but they can reduce its impact. They need to affirm humanitarian principles, commit to doing no harm, document the scale and nature of crises accurately, and hold decision makers accountable for their policies and actions. Can action on health achieve political and social reform?Samer Jabbour, Abbas El-Zein, Iman Nuwayhid, and Rita Giacaman BMJ 2006; 333: 837-839. Naturally, health professionals are expected to have a central role in promoting reform through actions to improve health. By engaging the public, civil institutions, opposition politicians, and even government agencies in discussions and projects, health professionals will be able to highlight the social and political determinants of health. helping doctors make better decisions

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Owen Dyer (London) Indian doctor held under controversial antiterrorism law 9 June 2007 Vol 334, No 7605 p 1184-1185 Writer Arundhati Roy attends a rally for Binayak Sen Binayak Sen, a noted civil rights activist, was arrested on 14 May ..... Dr Sen worked on behalf of indigenous communities for 30 years. He helped to found a cooperative hospital for mine workers, the Shaheed hospital, and played a big part in evolving a statewide programme of training community health workers.

“First They Came” : 

“First They Came” First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was nobody left to speak up. - Pastor Martin Niemoller, 1892-1984

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When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a Communist. - Dom Helder Pessoa Camara, former Roman Catholic archbishop of Olinda and Recife, Brazil