FINAL SOLUTION?
Peter Ronald D’ Souza & Others,
Delhi.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, express our deep concern about the recent ban on Rakesh Sharma’s internationally acclaimed documentary Final Solution. We urge the Government of India to immediately revoke the ban imposed by the Censor Board. We hope measures will be undertaken to facilitate the immediate release of the film to the general public.

Final Solution is a study of the politics of hate. Set in Gujarat during the period Feb/March, 2002 - July 2003, the film graphically documents the changing face of right-wing politics in India through a study of genocidal violence against Moslems in Gujarat. The film documents the Assembly elections held in Gujarat in late 2002 and records in detail the exploitation of the Godhra incident (in which 58 Hindus were burnt alive) by the right-wing propaganda machinery for electoral gains. It studies the situation after the storm and its impact on Hindus and Moslems – ghettoisation in cities and villages, segregation in schools, the call for economic boycott of Moslems and continuing acts of violence more than a year after the carnage. Final Solution is anti-hate/ violence as “those who forget history are condemned to relive it”.

The film is a feature-length documentary that has won several awards, including the Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Documentary at the Hong Kong International film festival. And we are shocked to note that the Indian Censors have offered the following reasons for the ban: “The film promotes communal disharmony among Hindu and Muslim groups and presents the picture of Gujarat riots in a way that it may arouse the communal feelings and clashes among Hindu Muslim groups. It attacks the basic concept of our Republic i.e. National Integrity and Unity. Certain dialogues involve defamation of individuals or body of individuals. Entire picturisation is highly provocative and may trigger off unrest and communal violence. State security is jeopardized and public order is endangered if this film is shown. It violates guidelines 2(xiii), 2(xiv), 2(xvii) and 3(i). When it is judged in its entirety from the point of view of its overall impact, it is not advisable to be exhibited. Hence refused under Section 5(b) 1 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.”

We find the observations made by the Indian Censor Board to be deeply disturbing. We are appalled to note that the Censor Board preview panel has several members affiliated with the right-wing political party who do not hesitate to use their official position to suppress any film critical of their politics. We would like to express our protest against the ban on ‘Final Solution’ as well as the attempts to harass the film-maker through show-cause notices querying the participation of his film in international film festivals and demanding explanations about customs duties, etc., matters clearly outside the Censor Board’s jurisdiction.

The right to freedom of expression and the right to information are central to any healthy and vibrant democracy. We urge you to take immediate steps to arrange for the speedy release of Final Solution without cuts. The film is a strong plea against the politics of intolerance and hate and we are perturbed to find that the film itself has become a victim of political intolerance.

Matanhy, the Kingmaker?
Floriano Lobo , Goa Su-Raj Party.

ALL EYES need to be on Matanhy Saldanha. He is the only person who has used the snakes-and-ladders board ingeniously to reach the top without the slightest fear of sliding down. First  he did a very effective sliding job  to go to the UGDP abandoning his first love, the “Gomant Lok Pox” along  with his old colleagues. Then he professed his contempt for the Congresswallas, reinforcing most people’s own sentiments.

Then he quietly  and boldly supported the RSS-BJP with the excuse that it was in the interest of his constituents and the development of his constituency. And he  executed his master-stroke when he joined the Manohar Parrikar’s Ministry,  knowing fully well that Manohar Parrikar was on his last leg. That is when  we had called him a “hypocrite and an opportunist” Why? For the simple  reason that we saw through his game plan. Being a minister, he could demand  the same ministry in the next government formation.

Every one knows that he was gunning for the education portfolio. So he could ask for this portfolio along with  the tourism portfolio which he presently holds. He knew that without him the Congress could not make the move. Also, he anticipated that Congress and others would have to come to him  a begging. There lay his importance. He could demand the sky. He could even demand to be the CM.

We read that  priests and his constituency workers are pleading with him to come over.  This is the exact situation he wanted to be in. If he remained with Parrikar  and was ultimately knocked off, he would be a wash-out in Cortalim in the  next elections. This way, he will give in to the pressure of the people of  Cortalim making sure that they will re-elect him.  Two birds in one shot. If  anything goes sour later, he will shift the blame on the people for making him come over. He will say: “You forced me. I was happy with the RSS-BJP”  And it is a shame that Dhavlikar has to sit on the chair with all the  extremely faithful Congresswallahs and the lone NCP scientist standing by. What could be worst for Goan politics?

There is a saying in good old Konkani: “GOLEANTLEM TUT’TA ANI UNTI’EN PODTA”  (One’s own necklace breaks to  fall  in one’s own lap). With all its inner cribbing and crabbing, the Congress has  none to grace the chair.  And it is no great sweat to realize that no sooner Dhavlikar  takes the  chair, its legs will want to run in different directions. Only the Sattari  Raja, who has been doing an acrobatic balancing act all along  will have a  last laugh.  For, the chair will be his without sitting on .

Not all Nursing Homes!
A  Private Nursing  Home,
iibpnjsc@rediffmail.com.

YOUR ISSUE on  nursing homes  has  tried  to  some  extent project us  as  fleecing  the  public. Indeed most  of  the  private  hospitals have incurred heavy  expenses  installing sophisticated  machines  for  the benefit  of   patients    who  visit  private hospitals  in  view  of the negligence  and  unhygienic conditions prevailing in  Sstate  government  hospitals. 

It  would  have  been  nice  if you  had  to  atleast  found  out  the  difficulties  faced  by  private hospitals, apart  from  the  issue  of  shortage  of  blood.   Nevertheless, some  hospitals  have  their  own reasons,  including  sentimental,  for starting or  are  still  in this  line,  which    you  could  have  highlighted, keeping  in  mind  that in the  past  almost  all  government  hospital services  were  free  and  still  continue  to  have the best  doctors courtesy funding    their  studies  and  services  by  the  State  government.

Needless  to  say  private hospitals   have  their   own problems but  they try and  give  valued   services,  it is therefore  wrong  to  grade  them  as  done  by  you. This  is  to  also  remind    you that    many  private  hospitals  have   excellent  services  and   reputation,  not  forgetting  that  in  some  genuine  cases  hospitalization  and  consulting   fees   are  drastically  reduced or  waived   fully  at  times. 

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