contents - Jananeethi

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Jananeethi2003 -20042

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004CONTENTS4I. INTRODUCTION 5· Quest for freedom· Rule of lawII. SERVICES OF LAW 8· Lok adalat / Negotiated settlement of disputes· Outreach programmes· Law and Society – Programmes on All India RadioIII. PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) 11· Coco Cola· Sreeramanchira· Public Health· Protective rights of the disabledIV. LEGAL AID and ASSISTANCE 14· Consultancy and Assistance· Legal Interventions· Crisis Management and Conflict ResolutionV. HUMAN RIGHTS 15· Combat Torture- UN Day against torture- National Workshop on CAT- Anti-torture pamphlets in Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam· Muthanga’ and after· Human Rights Education· Solidarity with people of Iraq and anti-war campaign· Human Rights DayVI. GENDER CONCERNS 20· Women’s Day· Action against domestic violence· Programmes for empowerment of women· PNDT Workshops· Study on Dowry System in Kerala· Care for women in distress – short stay homesVII. CHILD RIGHTS 23· Child labour / bonded labour· Child victims of violence, corruption and calamities· Child abuseVIII. ENVIRONMENT: ALTERNATE REPORTS 25· Plachimada revisited· Vagamon Report

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004I. INTRODUCTION:Quest for freedom:Ever since men have begun to reflect upon their relations with each otherand upon the vicissitudes of the human lot, they have been preoccupied with themeaning of justice. It has been the subject of philosophical discussions in literatureand it has entered into every sphere of human contemplation, temporal and spiritual,both in the ancient and the modern world. History has witnessed that, betweenrhetoric and reality, abominable injustice has been done in the name of justice,because when men sink to the lowest, they clutch for excuse at the highest.Remember, George Bush justified his attack on Afghanistan in the name of‘Ultimate Justice’.6Ideal justice sometimes gives way to practical convenience. We believethat the displacement of justice for the sake of expediency is a procedure thatshould be employed with greatest caution. Expediency for its own sake is nosubstitute for justice, but often its worst enemy. The classic exposition of thedoctrine of expediency is that, “it is expedient that one should die for thepeople and that the whole nation perishes not”. It was the precept of thehigh priest who incited what is generally regarded as the greatest crime in history.

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Unfortunately, ours is an age of ‘high priests’who do not allow people to live in freedomand with dignity, nor do they allow justice asfairness prevails in polity, in the area ofjurisprudential democracy. The ongoing tusslein the name of self-financing institutions andthe question of minority rights and religiousfreedom are only reflections of the saiddoctrine of expediency.Remember, harmony can never becommunal; for communalism is necessarilydisharmonious. The seed of communalism isinherent in religion as religion. The spirit ofnegativity dominates the inter-religious spaceand shapes religious attitudes. Every religionis communal in its attitude and response toother religions. It is even more intolerantlycommunal in its attitude to the Rishis, prophetsand reformers within its own fold. Religionand politics must re-discover their basic andcommon mandate – the human welfare andwell being of all nations.Ultimate justice finds its manifestation infreedom at its widest scope and dimension.History of mankind is a ceaseless quest forfreedom. It is a multi-pronged quest: freedomfrom want, from fear, from forces of nature,from tyranny of fellow human beings, fromthe chauvinistic hubris of institutions andestablishments, from injustice, fromsuperstitions, from prejudices, from tribal andracial loyalties, and ultimately from his/herown ego-centric existence. All human activity,therefore, is a quest for freedom and all humanevolutions represent a course of gradualrealization of various freedoms. Man/woman,according to Albert Einstein, can achievethese freedoms and find meaning in life onlythrough devoting himself/herself to society.Rule of law:It reminds us what Nelson Mandela in1992 said, “Our common humanitytranscends the oceans and all nationalboundaries. It binds us together in a commoncause against tyranny, to act together indefence of our very humanity. Let it never beasked of any one of us – what did we dowhen we knew that another was oppressed?”The XIIth Annual Report of Jananeethiis a humble attempt of bringing together theendeavours of a few deeply committedactivists who belonged to different avocations– human rights defenders, lawyers, teachers,researchers, social workers, promoters ofsecular culture and social audit, judicialofficers, public servants, house wives,students, labour unions, young men andwomen – who devoted themselves to the loftyideals and noble purposes of protecting andpromoting human freedom wherein justice asfairness was ensured and was made accessibleto the weak and vulnerable in the society. Thestrength of Jananeethi, as always, is itscommitment to human rights. It endows it withthe power to cross any border, climb any wall,defy any force.7

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004The medium of transactions at Jananeethihas necessarily been ‘Rule of Law’. Thewords of Cicero resounds in our ears – “thegood of people is the chief law”. In a pluralistsecular polity, law is perhaps the greatestunifying force. A cultivated respect for lawand its institutions and symbols, a pride in thecountry’s heritage and achievements, and faiththat people live under the protection of anadequate legal system are indispensable forsustaining unity and a sense of security in apluralist society. The quest for justice is, thus,the joint venture of law and morality. Inferenceof law with morality produces justice. It isdifficult to perceive justice divorced frommorality.Rule of law is vital and indispensable aslong as humans remain cruel and corrupt,atrocious and acrimonious. Charles Darwinonce remarked: “Man with all his noblequalities, with sympathy that feels for the mostdebased, with benevolence which extends notonly to other men but to the humblest livingcreature, with his god-like intellect which haspenetrated into the movements andconstitution of the solar system – with all theseexalted powers – still bears in his bodily framethe indelible stamp of his lowly origin.”Services of law and administration ofjustice for and on behalf of the poor and themarginalized is, for the reasons stated above,sacred and divine. It enthrones justice anddethrones evil on all spheres of human activity.8God is, therefore, more palpably present atthe negotiating tables and counseling roomsof Jananeethi than in a hermitage or religiousenclosure. Jananeethi, thus, is an idea with ahistory, a program that changes in both contentand social function, a mission founded on thesecular fabric of the nation and a vision thatembraces the whole humanity.Jananeethi in 2003-2004, besides itsregular and ever growing services in the arenaof legal aid and assistance, legal counseling,crisis intervention and action in defence ofwomen in distress, deserted children, victimsof torture, avarice, greed, communal bias anddomestic violence, was predominantlyengaged in two major social commitments: AStudy of Dowry System in Kerala which wascompleted in December 2003 and Creationof a Crime-free Society, a most hazardous,most challenging and currently ongoing socialexperiment in the XIIth Division of ThrissurCorporation. Separate reports on each ofthem are appended hereto as annexures(Annexures 1 and 2).The struggle for human rights, secularculture and jurisprudential democracy isalways a struggle against all forms of tyrannyand violence. Naturally, a day in Jananeethiand every other day during the year underreport were vibrant with actions, both legaland humanitarian.“Silence is not an option when things areill done” – said Lord Denning.

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004II.SERVICES OF LAWChief Justice Warren E. Berger of theAmerican Supreme Court once said, “Ourconstant purpose must be to keep in mindthat the duty of lawyers and the function ofthe judges are to deliver the best quality ofjustice at the least cost in the shortest time”.St.Paul in Ist Thimothy writes, “We know thatthe law is good, if a man uses it lawfully”. Oneof the basic tenets of Jananeethi is its commitmentto services of law for the poor andthe needy free of costs. Efficacy of our serviceand its effectiveness depends on how bestand how fast we reach out to the person whostands in need of it. Jananeethi during the yearunder report has performed this noble functionbetter than at any other time in its historyfor more than a decade.Table 1: Quantum of Services – An Overview:‘01-’02 ‘02-’03 ‘03-’04Number of petitioners/complainants who sought help of Jananeethi 3786 4863 5367Considered legal opinion/advice given to 3347 4217 4518Urgent interventions made by Jananeethi 220 366 378Judicial procedures initiated in 79 51 43Amicably settled by Jananeethi 123 297 147Training & Sensitization Camps 66 93 337Jananeethi has active contacts in- Panchayaths 90 90 90- Municipalities 6 6 6- Corporation 1 1 1Women, addressed by Jananeethi during the reporting year 9720 28647 347429

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Lok Adalat / Negotiated Settlements:It means disposal of petty cases, whichdo not involve adjudication of law points. Theaccident claim cases and land acquisitioncases are disposed of in large numbers at LokAdalats. Matrimonial cases and other familyOut-reach programmes:The field staff and the law faculty ofJananeethi have made a record in organizingout-reach programmes during the year underreport. Over 440 workshops in Mullakkaravillage alone could be organized by them. InRelative status of visitors3786486353672001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004disputes in which conciliation is possible, aresettled in Lok Adalats without much strain.Jananeethi has profusely employed the skillsof its staff in negotiating with disputing parties.The result was found to be very successful.Comparative Chart of Out-reach Programmes13%addition to that, Advocate Jasmine Joseph,Faritha Ansari, Sini Saji, Radhamani, Vineeth,Joshi, Naveenachandran, Krishnakumar,Sojan Job, Jayasree and our collaborators likeAdvocate Seby J.Pullely, Prof.Gokuldas,Dr.Rajalakshmi and many others haveaddressed dozens of community groups atvarious places as part of awarenessgeneration.1068%19%2001-20022002-20032003-2004Law and Society:Through the kind favour of our executivemember Ms. K.R.Indira, the seniorProgamme Executive of All India Radio,Jananeethi could address people all over Indiathrough the strong media of radio on various

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Nature of complaints98102289120329Property/CivilMatrimonial & Domestic ViolenceCriminalService/LabourEnvironmentConsumerPublic InterestMiscellaneoussubjects of common interest. There were severalsessions on legal matters that affect thepublic life and civic society. The law facultyof Jananeethi and our friends in legalprofession joined the array in responding topeople’s legal queries. Besides,Jananeethi members including itschairman K.G.Sankara Pillai,Dr. Francis Xavier, GeorgePulikuthiyil, Advocate JohsonAinikal, Prof. N.N. Gokuldas,Adv. Faritha Ansari, P.N.Gopikrishnan, P.S. Manojkumar, N.K. Unnikrishnan, andBijo Francis have talked overthe radio on many subjects ofpublic interest, more importantlyon causes and circumstances57%leading to suicide, divorce and communal riots,care and support to victims of HIV/AIDS,Geriatric care, Youth & Crime.Fullness of life means service to thewhole. Therefore, Jananeethi has not sparedGender Ratio of Complainants43%MaleFemale11

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004any sphere of human activity from the purviewof its service. It has touched all aspectsof normal humanscape, ie: torture and custodialdeaths, violations of human rights andhuman rights education, environmental lawand protection of natural resources includingthe eco-system, water, trees, grasslands,streams and rivers, marriage and sexuality,maintenance and custody of children, right toproperty and equality, gender justice anddomestic violence, dowry and cruelties againstwomen, neglected children and child labour,right to health, education, care and supportto victims of HIV/AIDS.Enormous growth has been recordedwith respect to various aspects of legalservices in Jananeethi. The total number ofpersons who approached Jananeethi duringthis year is a record when compared toprevious years. So also there has been a steepincrease in the number of women who werepersonally addressed by Jananeethi staffduring the year under report. As usual, womenout-numbered men significantly in availingservices from Jananeethi. There has been lessnumber of legal interventions as compared toprevious year. This was because many of theoffice staff and field officers were entrustedwith heavy responsibilities as part of the ongoingproject for a crime-free society.III. PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGAIONWhile this report is being prepared,Dhananjoy Chatterjee’s dead corpse hangsfrom the gallows at the Alipur central jail inWest Bengal. It’s a shame that the wholeNation including various institutions like thenational human rights commission and theComparative Status of Interventions3503002502001501005003292972902201371472001-02 2002-03 2003-0412Total No. of InterventionsSettled/Disposed

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004department for social justice and legal aidfailed to uphold the lofty ideals of our culturalheritage and human values, which wecherished in the past. It is when the institutions– political, juridical or administrative – fail todeliver human justice at critical times, that ourcommitments to larger good and commoncause emerge in the form of PIL. The systemof participatory justice has been developedthrough PIL and has added content andvitality to constitutional democracy. In recentyears accountability of public authorities andprobity in public life have been achievedthrough the medium of PIL.Plachimada – Doctrine of Public Trust:Any aberration due to arbitrariness inexercise of public power results in violationof the fundamental rights of the people. Thedoctrine of Public Trust has been introducedby judicial decisions. (For example- thejudgment of the Kerala High Court in theCoco Cola case at Plachimada inPalakkad district). Preservation of ecologyand environment based on the principle ofsustainable development to reconcile with theconflicting interests of development and withthe preservation of the healthy environmenthas been recognized as an enforceablefundamental right. The underlying principle isthat ecology and environment are incapableof ownership being nature’s gift and are to bepreserved in trust for future generations. Thepresent generation is a trustee for itspreservation. This was the principle and themotive force behind Jananeethi forinterference with issues like the coco colafactory at Plachimada, the AthirappillyHydro-electric project, PathrakkadavuProject near Silent Valley, Chazhikkadan Bio-Medical Waste Treatment plant atThodupuzha and such other concernselsewhere.Sreeramanchira:People of Thanniyam panchayath havea story of nearly 40 years’ strife for regainingand restoring Sreeramanchira to its greatlegacy. Thousands of families andneighbourhood villages depended heavily onthe water from Sreeramanchira for theirsustenance. However, due to mismanagementof the local bodies in the past,Sreeramanchira was not properly maintainedand was getting vanished from the memoryof the people. A group of local inhabitantswith the active support and legal assistanceof Jananeethi, took the matter to theOmbudsman and after a long legal battle, anorder to the effect of re-instating the old gloryof the Sreeramanchira was passed by theOmbudsman. It was a victory of the strongwill and determination of the people in the formof organized resistance..Public Health and Insecticides:We are very much aware of the alarmingconsequences of excess use or misuse of13

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004pesticides and other poisonous chemicals inthe plantations and agricultural farms.Catastrophic health hazards of Dycophol andEndosulphan have been a matter of greatconcern for the people in Kerala for quitesome time. While this was very much indebate, another controversy was reportedthat large quantities of expired pesticides wereprescribed by the top authorities of healthdepartment, and arbitrary direction was givento all district health offices to procure and uselarge quantities of expired pesticides.Jananeethi on public interest challenged thismove in the High Court and the Governmenthad to withdraw its impugned order.Protective rights of the disabled persons:Jananeethi had to take up the issue ofspecial privileges that are conferred on thephysically disabled persons being grossly defiedby respective authorities. The KSRTCauthorities used to refuse travel concessionto disabled persons. It was blatant violationof their legitimate rights. Jananeethi wasrequested to resolve the crisis. The matter wastaken up by Jananeethi and is beingconsidered positively by the concernedauthorities.Jananeethi has been committed from itsvery beginning to the present to upholding thecommon cause and public good higher thanparochial or sectarian interests. As in the pastwe have admitted many complaints inJananeethi and have initiated conciliatoryprocesses, failing which we have further takenup the matter in appropriate courts of lawthrough our legal fraternity. Detailed accountof the petitions entertained at JananeethiSreeramanchira1414

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004during the period is appended to this reportas annexure (Annexure 9).IV. LEGAL AID AND ASSISTANCE:Consultancy and Assistance:Free consultancy in matters related tolaw and legal jurisprudence comes under thebroader spectrum of services of law atJananeethi. Even those who are highlyeducated and placed at higher designationsare ignorant of elementary laws and arelacking correct perspectives on thefundamental rights. An importantdevelopment in the recent decades is theenormity of changes in the landscape offundamental rights. Its ever-growing domainis influenced by judicial review under theconstitutional system. Understanding thecontent and scope of each fundamental right,which is human right within the Constitution,in relation to other fundamental rights has beenfound to be instrumental for a full enjoymentof life.Lord Atkin once said, “No prescriptionis valid against the conscience of mankind”.Fundamental rights are, in their own way, therepositories of this conscience. Jananeethi hasspared the best of its legal brilliance to theservice of those who travel from South andNorth to Thrissur in pursuit of correct adviceand guidance in matters of law. AdvocatesJasmine Joseph, P.P.Vineeth, Sini Saji, SojanJob, Faritha Ansari, E.V. Joshy and GeorgePulikuthiyil were available full time for theservice of those in need.Legal Interventions:In many instances, to ascertain theveracity of complaints and to ensure that itsservice goes to the really deserving and needypeople, Jananeethi had to depute its fieldofficers Mrs K.K.Radhamani,Shri.T.K.Naveena Chandran, K.K.Sudevanand A.R.Johnson to visit places or families ofdispute and to meet people at their respectiveplaces with facts finding mission. Further,negotiations and conciliatory talks werearranged at Jananeethi conference room in thepresence of its law faculty. If disputing partieswere not ready for peaceful settlement ofconflicts, we had to refer them to alternatecourse of action.Assistance in the court by adjudicatingthe matter in dispute is only the last resort asfar as Jananeethi is concerned. Members ofour legal fraternity, Advocates Dr.M.P.Raju,Mathai Paikadai, Jayesh Menon (SupremeCourt), N.N.Sugunapal, Dayananda Prabhu,Jijo Paul, Shaji Thomas Porkattil, C.P.Saji,K.S. Madhusudanan, Daisy Thampy andPerly Jose (High Court),K.V.Mohanakrishnan, N.K.Unnikrishnan,Saji Joseph, Seby J. Pullely, Agi S., SureshE.R., Clemens Thottappilly, Bijo Francis,Johnson Ainikal, Thomson Michael, SabyJoseph, Stephan Mathew, Varghese K.M,and Lissy Chacko (District courts and Sub15

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Courts) were always at our help wherevertheir assistance was required.Crisis Intervention and ConflictResolution:Crisis intervention and conflict resolutionin matters like marriage, dowry, propertyrights, custody of children, domestic violence,sexual atrocities/exploitations, desertion,maintenance, money matters, alcohol anddrug abuses, threats from money lenders andprivate financiers, situations leading tosuicides, corruption, environmental havoc dueto unlawful soil / sand mining, employment ofchild labour, and child abuse were among thetopics Jananeethi has taken up during the yearunder report. Apart from the services of themembers of law faculty in Jananeethi, servicesof professional clinical psychiatrists,psychologists and physicians likeDr.K.S.Shaji, Dr.Praveenlal, Dr.ThomasAmbooken, Dr.Jose Anto, Ms.MercySebastian, Dr.Sebastian Criton,Prof.N.N.Gokuldas, Dr.Rajalakshmi,Dr.Varghese Chackola, Dr.P.U.Ashokan andDr.Sunithy Ashokan were also availed of orrelied on by Jananeethi at critical situations inthe process of resolving problems.V. HUMAN RIGHTSHuman rights have been recognized asstandards of achievement and norms ofbehavior of all members of a society, inparticular of those in authority like the16governments or other agencies who have thepower to influence the behaviour of others.However, human rights are not limited toclaims against the State, but to ensure just,fair and humane treatment among people.There is much in Indian society that isgratuitously cruel and indefensibly unfair. Indiastill has to confront and discipline disturbingareas of indifference, hostility and cruelty,which terrorize the social landscape and arean embarrassment to just human endeavour.Jananeethi, therefore, has dealt with humanrights in a larger spectrum including the civicresponsibility in protecting and promotinghuman rights and legal literacy.Our mission to promote and protecthuman rights in the widest sense is moreimportant than ever; our responsibility to actmore urgent – that while some wanted to focuson human rights as a civil and political issue,others wanted equal attention to economic,social and cultural rights, complaining bitterlythat the right to vote is worth little, if theirchildren are hungry and do not have accessto safe water.a) Combat Torture:In Challa Ramakrishna Reddy case, theSupreme Court of India observed: “Aprisoner, be he a convict or under-trial ordetenue, does not cease to be a human being.Even when lodged in jail, he continues to enjoyall his fundamental rights including right to life.On being convicted of crime and deprived of

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004their liberties in accordance with theprocedure established by law, prisoners stillretain the residue of Constitutional rights”.The spirit of law and the mind of the apexcourt are made explicitly clear in the aboveobservation. Whether inside prison or inpolice custody, a person shall not be deprivedof his guaranteed freedom save by methodsright, just and fair. Jananeethi has investigateda few major instances of torture in policecustody and custodial death in districts ofThrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram andKozhidode and have reported the matter tothe National Human Rights Commission forfollow up actions. Summary report of eachof them is appended as annexure to this report(Annexure 3).Torture and police excess can bechecked by community only when people aremade aware of their constitutional rights andlegal remedies. Therefore, Jananeethi hasorganized awareness building workshops inthe rural areas in large numbers. Large boardswith inscriptions on the rights of those whoare arrested, vide Basu V/s State of WestBengal, were installed by Jananeethi at publicplaces and all police stations in the district ofThrissur. Further, Jananeethi took pains to fixup large display boards regarding Supremedirectives on sexual harassment at work place(Vaisakha V/s State of Rajasthan) at publicoffices and institutions where large number ofwomen employees are engaged.The State has an obligation not just toinvestigate and punish acts of violence –whether perpetrated by the State or byprivate parties – the State also has anobligation to prevent gross violation of humanrights. The refusal of India to ratify the UNConvention against torture, therefore,becomes a culpable crime and a violation ofthe Constitutional mandate. The State’snegligence in preventing gross violation ofhuman rights will render the State liable forcompensation or reparation to the victim. Inthe context, Jananeethi has resolved to takeup a campaign with the active support andparticipation of the Members of Parliamentwho are sympathetic to the cause.i. UN Day against torture:The UN Day against torture, June 26,was commemorated with the release of a bookand seminar this year. India is in the processof revamping its criminal justice system and acommittee has been appointed under thechairmanship of Justice V.S. Malimath. Thecommittee prepared a report that needs acritical scrutiny, since the committee’srecommendations could be potential hazardsand threats to human rights of the civilians.The State had already demonstrated its apathyto the rights of people enacting POTA invitingenormous violations of rights by abuse andmisuse of power by those in authority. In thiscontext, Mr. Basil Fernando, who is a closefriend of Jananeethi and Executive Director17

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004of Asian Human Rights Commission,responded to Malimath committee,and Jananeethi published it with atitle “CRIME AND JUSTICE”. Itwas released on the same day alongwith a seminar on the Committee’srecommendations. The book wasreleased by Ms. Binu Poornamodan,Lecturer, Law College, Thrissur anda key-note address was delivered byDr.M.C.Valson, senior faculty ofLaw College.ii. Regional Conference on UNConvention Against Torture:A Regional Conference on the UNConvention against torture was organized byJananeethi with the support of Asian HumanRights Commission at Thrissur from 15 to 19 thAugust 2004. Delegates representing varioushuman rights organizations from States ofWest Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Keralaparticipated in the workshop. Basil Fernando,Philip Setunga, and Nandana Manatunga, onbehalf of AHRC were present throughoutsharing their profound experiences in the fightagainst torture in countries of South Asia.iii. Campaign against torture: Pamphletsin Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi:The National Workshop on CAT atThrissur passed a resolution in the form of astatement against torture. The statement called18Regional Conference on UN Convention Against Torturefor nation-wide campaign against torture, themother of all other crimes. It urged the Unionand State Governments of India to ratify theConvention and to legislate against theheinous torture as actionable offence. Thestatement was originally drafted in English andlater it was published simultaneously in Hindi,Malayalam and Tamil. The English version ofthe statement is appended hereto as annexure(Annexure 4).b) ‘Muthanga’ and after:Jananeethi had a significant role providingmoral and physical support to the tribalpopulation in Wayanad following the brutalattack by the State police on them. Jananeethiteam and office bearers visited Muthanga andthe tribal settlements in Wayanad on severaloccasions and participated in agitationsorganized in support of the tribals. Jananeethibulletins carried the matter for several monthscontinuously and had taken up the matter withvarious national bodies for appropriate action.

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004A Wounded adivasi woman in Bathery Taluk HospitalJananeethi took up the issue of settlingthe tribal families by reinstating them in theiralienated lands or to compensate their lossadequately by the Government, through itsmonthly bulletin. Jananeethi was involved inthe formation of Wayanad Human RightsForum during the strife following the policeaction at Muthanga and later as a foundermember of ‘Neethivedi’ in Wayanad fordefending human rights of, and providing freelegal aid and assistance to, the poor andmarginalized sections of society.c) Human Rights Education:Human rights form the foundations of asociety and they are inviolable, as the societywould disintegrate if they were violated.Hence the State authorities have the primaryresponsibility of taking every measure torealize these rights because of their commandover the resources and activities within theirarea of jurisdiction. But in the human rightsdiscourse, all other agents are also responsibleto help and co-operate with the State and theother agencies to fulfill these rights.Understanding the content and scope ofeach fundamental right, which is human rightwithin the Constitution, in relation to otherfundamental rights, has been found to beinstrumental for a rich and balanceddevelopment of the fundamental rightsjurisprudence and the human person, as well.This is achieved through education of thepublic at different levels. Jananeethi has beendoing this from its beginning and the resultsare very conspicuous. The efforts for makingDivision XII of the Thrissur Corporation(Mullakkara village) a legally literate zone areprogressing and while this report is beingprepared, the final steps are being completedto declare the village as the first LegallyLiterate & Litigation-free village in KeralaState by the Chief Justice of Kerala HighCourt on the 14 th of August 2004. Jananeethicongratulates itself for having been able toorganize 440 legal literacy workshops in avillage in a short span of four months.d)Solidarity with people of Iraq:The invasion of America and its allies inIraq and the war that followed evoked strongprotests all over. Jananeethi used all possiblefora to condemn the American audacity andto express its solidarity with the people of Iraqwho were made victims of violence by superpowers. As part of its campaign against warand human rights violations by the First World,Jananeethi organized a signature campaign on3.4.2003 at various centres in Thrissur city.19

The staff and members of Jananeethi couldcollect thousands of signatures from the publicand it was sent to the Iraqi Consulate in Delhiwith a covering letter expressing our concernfor the people of Iraq and our commitment tothe restoration of civic rights and politicalfreedom in the land of Iraq.e) Anti-war campaignJananeethi from the beginning of warpreparations by America and its allies startedcampaigning against the imperialist policies ofthe super powers using its cyber space. Wehosted anti-war slogans and open criticismagainst American move against Iraq on ourwebsite and have joined all initiatives the worldover against war. Also, Jananeethi had postedbanners at strategic places publiclycondemning war and George Bush for manymonths.f) Human Rights Day:December 10, the International Day ofHuman Rights was observed in associationwith Dept. of Zoology, Sree Krishna College,Guruvayoor in the premises of the college.The one-day seminar on human rights wasinaugurated by Mr. K. Ravindranath, thePrincipal who also presided over the function.Advocate George Pulikuthiyil, ExecutiveDirector of Jananeethi delivered the key noteaddress on international instruments of humanrights. A panel consisting of AdvocateP.P.Vineeth, Advocate Faritha Ansari, bothlaw officers of Jananeethi and Prof. N.N.Gokuldas of Sree Krishna College spoke onrights of the disabled, protective rights ofwomen in law and human rights of peopleliving with HIV/AIDS, respectively. Prof.V.K. Vijayakumar and Smt. E.S. Usha of20

Sree Krishna College chaired the sessions andProf. M. Krishnakumari welcomed thespeakers and the participants.VI. GENDER CONCERNSThe emerging realization in the lastdecade that women’s rights are human rightshas dramatically changed the interpretation ofhuman rights, and Jananeethi, in the contextof Kerala and particularly in the district ofThrissur, has a legitimate reason to be gratifiedover the apparently visible changes broughtin by its continuous efforts for empowermentof women.The UN Convention on Elimination ofDiscrimination Against Women (CEDAW)places an obligation on Government of Indiato legislate for abolition of laws, customs andpractices which constitute discriminationagainst women. However, India has miserablyfailed to ensure one-third of seats for womenin Parliament and Assemblies, which onlyindicates the absence of a political will to befair and just.a) Domestic violence:The violence which women face, couldbe domestic violence in its variousmanifestations including harmful cultural ortraditional practices such as dowry or femalegenital mutilation, female infanticide andfemale foeticide, ‘honour’ killings, denial orneglect of health care, sexual abuse, physicalviolence, debt bondage or trafficking, womenand girls being infected with HIV/AIDS orSTD in the course of sexual abuse. In thepublic domain kidnapping, rape, sexualharassment at the workplace or anywhereelse, trafficking including sale of women andgirls in sexual slavery or hard labour are someforms of violence that result in denial towomen of basic human rights.Violence against women is amanifestation of an unequal power relationshipbetween men and women which has led todomination over and discrimination againstwomen and to the prevention of fulladvancement of women. The question ofcultural relativism in the form of religioustraditions, customs or ethnic practices emergeas stumbling blocks. Denial of rights cannotbe considered as sanction to be protected asa part of religion or culture. Jananeethi hasfaced the wrath of male chauvinists on manyoccasions, particularly during the year underreport while its study on the Dowry Systemin Kerala was in progress, only becauseJananeethi believed - and continues to believe- that women’s right to self assertion, dignity,and freedom of choice are non-negotiable.Violence against women is perpetratedby private actors often in the privacy of thehome. Unfortunately violence by privateactors has not been a matter of concern tothe human rights community. Jananeethi hasalways fought for it. Three of our field staff

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Women Addressed by Jananeethi2001-200213%2003-200448%2002-200339%have been spared for facts finding assignmentsand to accompany women-victims toappropriate police stations / women cell. Therecent legislation by our Parliament againstdomestic violence is a welcome move.Among many other national NGOs who havecampaigned for the same, Jananeethi hasplayed its role.b) Empowerment of Women:Ignorance of law, international humanrights instruments and the possibility of theirenforcement and lack of social and economicindependence make it extremely difficult forwomen to access justice. The women alsohave difficulty in dealing with the lawenforcement machinery. The police are oftennot interested in registering a case of domesticviolence treating it as a domestic personal affairrather than an offence. Crimes against womenare also in many cases investigated on a low22priority basis, thus leading to loss of importantevidence particularly in cases of rape orsexual assault.Jananeethi has great satisfaction over theremarkable improvements that have beendemonstrated by the women who, whenapproached Jananeethi for the first time, weretimid and obsessed with fear complexes. Theyare evidently bold and assertive on theirlegitimate rights and constitutional privileges.Their leadership skills have improved and theyhave proved to be good event managers andcampaign against dowry22

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004International Women’s Day : Poster Exhibitionprogramme co-coordinators. Jananeethi,therefore, has fielded its women staff to superviseand manage the new social experimentfor creating a ‘crime-free’ village involvingthe prospective women leaders of the localcommunity.c) Women’s Day:March 8, the International Day ofWomen was observed with a variety of programmesby Jananeethi conducted at differentplaces in the Corporation. A photo –poster exhibition was arranged by Mrs. K.K.Radhamany, Advocate Faritha Ansari, EJayasree, Naveenachandran and Sudevan atThottappady in the Division XII of the Corporation.The photos and posters demonstrateddifferent dimensions of gender violenceand sexual discriminations in society. It alsoinvited spontaneous discussions and debateswhich further helped to elaborate the women’slegal rights and constitutional privileges.Jananeethi also organized gender workshopsin many institutions on offences againstwomen and legal remedies in respective situations.d) PNDT Workshops:VHAI through its Kerala partner theKerala Voluntary Health Services hadentrusted with Jananeethi to organize seriesof workshops at different centres in Thrissurrevenue district on the abuses and violationsof pre-natal diagnosis techniques.Jananeethi conducted thirty workshopsmainly for young women and healthworkers. These workshops were intended fordisseminating the dangers and legalimplications involved in the wrong and illegalpractices for sexual preferences.e) Study on the Dowry System in Kerala:Jananeethi, with financial assistance fromthe American Centre in New Delhi, conducteda survey and study on the prevailing practicesof dowry among different communities in the14 revenue districts of Kerala State. Thestudy was completed in December 2003 anda detailed report was published in February2004. The study report was widely applaudedand there are several media reports on thesame both in India and abroad. Several localagencies facilitated for the successfulcompletion of the study on dowry. Kairos(Kannur), Sreyas (Sultan Bathery),Vimalalayam (Ernakulam), KIDS(Kottappuram), ASSS (Alappuzha),VOSARD (Kumily), SAKHI(Thiruvananthapuram), MMS(Bharananganam) are among those whogenerously rendered help for the study.23

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004f) Women in distress(Short-stay homes):Women, battered and assaulted bytheir male counterparts or in-laws, quiteoften approach Jananeethi in dire needand request for a place for safe stay. Eachcase is singular in nature and extremelygrave taking into account thecircumstances. Many of them justescaped from an impending danger totheir lives. Good many of them were chasedby their assailants. There is great risk inproviding them shelter and protection.. ButJananeethi has always volunteered its bestservices to women in distress and have alwaysdefended such women. There are fewinstitutions, whose names are not disclosedhere for obvious reasons that have extendedfull support and help to Jananeethi as shortstay homes for those women in utter crisis.Even Kerala police had handed girl victimsof gang rape and sex scandals to the custodyof Jananeethi in full confidence. We place onrecord our sheer indebtedness to thoseinstitutions which provide us timely servicesas and when called for.VII. CHILD RIGHTSThe UN Convention on Child Rights(CRC) of 1989 has recognized four sets ofbasic rights of children. They are – right tosurvival, right to protection, right todevelopment and right to participate.24Hon. Mr. Justice R. Basant inaugurates PNDT WorkshopseriesHowever, the State as well as the society ofelders in India appears to be abysmallyignorant of this fact.a) Child Labour / Bonded LabourChildren are the dawn of humanity andhopes of nation’s future. Due to theirvulnerability and dependence they areexploited by unscrupulous economic forces,resulting in the pernicious practice of childlabour that nonetheless is bonded labour,which undoubtedly obstructs the process ofblossoming of children into able and healthycitizens enjoying the blessings of liberty.The magnitude of the problem of childlabour is alarming, as the estimated populationof child labour in India is 44 million (44–100million as referred by the Supreme Courtin M.C.Metha V/s State of Tamilnadu, AIR1982 SC 1473). This calls for a big role ofthe State and voluntary agencies. The neglectof girl child because of long standing genderbias and the practice of child prostitution haveunravelled the dimensions of gender justice

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004of the education, health and welfare ofsuch children. Jananeethi is often heldup in dilemma as it has no resource toprovide care and support to thesechildren.actions needed in the matter of child care andwelfare.Jananeethi was required to interfere inthe reporting year in six cases of child / bondedlabour and also a few instances of child abuse.Experience tells us that those in authority, civilauthorities and law implementing agencies, arebadly in need of correct perspectives andmotivation thereof in defending the rights ofchildren.b) Child Victims of violence, corruptionand calamities:Children who are affected and victimizedby reasons unknown to them are reportedfrom all parts of the State. Children of sexualminorities, commercial sex workers, HIV/AIDS patients, broken families, victims of /parties to communal riots, convictedprisoners, under-trials and unwed mothers arethose who need to be attended to by thesociety. Neither the government nor the localbodies have any plan of action to take carec) Child Abuse:Instances of child abuse bymembers of family or elders of thesociety are escalating day by day.Children are not able to withstand thehostile situations at home and in the institutions.Jananeehti, being a voluntary society, hasmany handicaps in handling such cases. Thegreatest risk is the security of the children.The vulnerability of children will result inshifting their moods and oral statements to thefavour of the offenders who naturally willinfluence the police and other law enforceableagencies like the prosecutors and judicialofficers. There are instances where mothersare also involved in such abuses of children.d) City Level ForumJananeethi is an executive member at theCity Level Foum of officials and voluntaryagencies constituted by Thrissur Corporationwith its Mayor as its chairperson to monitorand look in to problems of street children inthe city of Thrissur. The Probation Officer isthe convenor of the Forum. The members ofthe Forum meet at regular intervals to discussproblems and possible solutions relating tostreet children. Advocate Faritha Ansari, Law25

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Officer of Jananeethi represents Jananeethi atthe Forum and actively got involved in theactivities of the Forum.VIII. ENVIRONMENT: ALTERNATEREPORTSa) Plachimada re-visited:Before any other organization oragencies stepped in the struggle of the peopleof Plachimada, in Palakkad district against thegiant Coco Cola factory, Jananeethi early in2002 had visited the site and made substantialstudies with respect to the quality of theproduct, the toxicity of the slurry, the alarmingsituations of pollution and water contamination,and other violations of environment and landlaws by the company. It was published onthe web site of Jananeethi atwww.jananeethi.org . The factory had refusedto visit the factory premises. After a yearJananeethi team again visited the place andspent a day with the agitating public. Thefactory management reluctantly allowed us toenter into the compound though it was understrict surveillance. We were not allowed totake samples of water and soil for tests. Thefactory administration miserably failed toprovide satisfactory answers to our manyquestions. A third visit was also carried outby Jananeethi team to get apprised of thesituations with respect to the farmingcommunity and villagers. Sequels to theoriginal report were published subsequently.26Plachimada revisitedb) Vagamon Report:The wide-spread encroachment of the‘dream land’ of the high ranges in Kerala andthe grassy meadows of Vagamon were verymuch in news following the Global InvestorsMeet in Kerala. A team of subject expertsrepresenting Jananeethi including scientists Dr.Francis Xavier, Dr. Gigi K. Joseph, Dr. JomyAugustin, Advocate George Pulikuthiyil,A.B.Prasad, Ajayakumar Meleveettil, T.K.Naveenachandran and K.K. Sudevan werein the panel. Members of Gandhi YuvaMandalam and environmental activists underthe leadership of Mr. Eby Emmanuel, Mr.Sunny Paikada, Ms. Susan Kottukappully andDr. Hilda also joined the Jananeethi team inthe course of the study. Jananeethi prepareda detailed report of the study and called for apress conference at Thrissur to announce theresults of the study. An abridged version ofthe report is appended here as annexure(Annexure 5), while the full report is availableat www.jananeethi.org

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004c) Vagamon Day:Subsequent to the press conference andwide media exposure of the gross violationsof human and environmental rights atVagamon, a Vagamon Day was speciallyobserved at Thrissur with photo exhibition andseminar conducted at Sahitya Academyauditorium by Jananeethi. The panoramicviews of the exotic natural resources spreadover the largest grass land in Asia werephotographed by Mr. AjayakumarMeleveettil of Jananeethi and the exhibitionwas inaugurated by the celebrated poet andchairman of Jananeethi, Prof. K.G.SankaraPillai, on 3.11.2003. Large number of peoplefrom different parts of the State viewed theshow and in the after noon a public meetingwas also held at the academy hall that wasinaugurated by eminent artist and literary criticMr. M.V. Devan. The Vagamon Day wasorganized in association with All India Radio,Thrissur.Following the Vagamon Day in Thrissur,the Kerala Yuva Gandhi Mandalm initiatedseries of exhibitions and panel discussions /workshops at various places in Kottayam andIdukki districts using the photographsdeveloped by Jananeethi. This has evokedgreat interest in different sections of societyon the importance of retaining Vagamon in allits celebrity and profundity.d) Air, water and soil – wealth in PublicTrust:On both occasions, in the case of CocoCola at Plachimada and Vagamon, Jananeethiraised the legal question of ‘wealth held inPublic Trust’. Later, the Honourable HighCourt of Kerala in WP (C) No 34292/200327Vagamon27

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004(G) has pronounced one of its landmarkjudgments in recent times whereby theHonourable court has confirmed the Doctrineof Public Trust in protecting natural resourceslike water, air and soil. The public and moreespecially those in power are underconstitutional mandate to preserve and protectcommon wealth for the use and enjoyment ofthe community. Those who fail to adhere tothis rule are liable to be prosecuted andpunished.e) World Environment Day:June 5, the World Environment Day, wasobserved at Jananeethi with variety ofprogrammes. More than 300 siblings of shadetrees were planted in the forenoon on thebanks of the public streets with the activeparticipation of Jananeethi executive andworking staff, students & staff from SalsabySchool, Mundoor; CMS School, Thrissurand Kasthurba Gandhi Education Trust andAutorikshaw Swatantra Thozhilali Union,Thrissur. Honourable District & SessionsJudge of Thrissur Mr. James Murickaninaugurated the planting of siblings. Thecorporation Mayor, Deputy Mayor and otherdignitaries including Board Members ofJananeethi voluntarily joined the activistsoffering themselves in planting and wateringtree-siblings. This was followed by a randomsurvey on sound pollution being caused byvehicles on the TB Road and Swaraj Round.The survey and its analysis was carried outby the expert advice of the Kerala Pollution28Control Board which was also morally dutyboundto contain atrocities against women andgirl childrenf) Talk Show on television:Dr. Francis Xavier, member of the Boardand joint secretary of Jananeethi and whoheads to all environmental expeditions ofJananeethi, was invited by Jeevan TV for alive talk show on issues related environmentand ecology. The programme was muchappreciated and had been rated very high bythe public. Dr. Francis, author of severalbooks on animals and environment, was alsoinvited by All India Radio to present a talk onEnvironmental conservation through people’sparticipation.Honourable District & Sessions Judge of Thrissur Mr. JamesMurickan inaugurated planting of siblings

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004g) Vigil Groups:Jananeethi has initiated formation ofyouth groups in the Division XII of ThrissurCorporation for guarding the public space ineach area like public streets, canals, sewagewater and drainage always in propercondition. They will also organize communityactions for cleaning common places and forcommunity celebrations like children’s sportsand cultural events. They will offer volunteerservices as required in emergency situationsfor geriatric care, attending the terminally illand providing shelter for victims of torture anddomestic violence.IX. INTERNSJananeethi had the privilege of beingapproached by prestigious institutions like theNational Law School of India University,Bangalore; the West Bengal NationalUniversity of Juridical Sciences, Culcutta; theNational Law University, Hyderabad and theTata Institute of Social Sciences as well asuniversities or academies abroad to providespace for their pupils in socio-legalinvolvements. Jananeethi has alwayswelcomed such initiatives and has opened itsfacilities to many young, talented and brilliantstudents who stayed with us from 6 to 12weeks. They have left with us sweet memoriesand continue their contacts. Two of them, MsParvathy Menon and Ms Sheena Cherian,have written short notes on their experiencein Jananeehti and are appended to this reportas annexure (Annexure 6). We always treasuretheir friendships and enjoy their companyas they keep visiting us occasionally.X. NETWORKING / ALLIANCESa) Local NGOs:Voluntary Organizations and NGOs thatare having their areas of activities in Keralalike SAKHI, Anweshi, Sreevedi, CPCK-FORUM, KVHS, SEVA, Janasamskara,Chetana Film Academy, Thrissur LawCollege, Me & You Communications,Mithranikethan, Chalakudy PuzhaSamrakshana Samithy, Neethi Vedi, Sreyas,Kairos, Vosard, Alappuzha Social ServiceSociety, Kottappuram Integral DevelopmentSociety and Thanal (Chavakkad) have goodworking relationships with Jananeethi.b) National NGOs:Among those organizations / agencieswhich are having good institutionalrelationships with Jananeethi at national levelare the following: Human Rights LawNetwork, UNFPA, Communalism Combat,Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative,International Court of Criminal Justice – India,Visthar, IWID, National Alliance of WomenOrganisation (NAWO), SAHRDC, People’sUnion for Civil Liberties, AmnestyInternational – India, National JudicialAcademy, People’s Watch - Tamilnadu, andRajiv Gandhi Foundation.29

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004c) International Alliances:Jananeethi has good and healthyrelationships / working partnerships /institutional contacts with several internationalbodies / institutions / NGOs / People’sMovements. They are: Asian Human RightsCommission, Asian Legal Services Centre(both based in Hong Kong), Rule of Centre(Colombo), Kerala Partnership (UK), Setik(Kandy), Interights (UK), Minority RightsGroup (UK), Amnesty International, HumanRights Watch, Creative Exchange (UK), andJananeethi Fellowships at London,Birmingham, Portsmouth, Colchestor, MiltonKeynes, Coventry and Southampton inUnited Kingdom.XI. MAITHRI renamed asJANANEETHI HELPLINEJananeethi started in 2000 its servicesfor the suicidal and mentally disturbed personsunder the guidance and working model of‘Befrienders India’. It took the nameMAITHRI to help people identify the natureof services, as suicide prevention serviceswere being provided in Kochi under the samebanner of MAITHRI since 1995. The workculture of Jananeethi as organized initiative foraction in defence of the victims of torture andviolations of rights could not tally with the strictpolicy of non-interference by BefriendersIndia. The matter was discussed by the Boardof Directors of Jananeethi and our assessment30of Maithri services during past three yearswere far from satisfactory. Hence it wasresolved by the Board to discontinue Maithriand to reopen services for the protection andpromotion of people’s RIGHT TO LIVEunder JANANEETHI HELPLINE.Jananeethi, ever since, continues itscommitments to the people in distress as partof its integrated programme for prevention ofsuicides. It involves consultation, counselling,legal aid, legal action, medical assistance,short-stay home services, rehabilitation,lobbying with civil and political authorities andadvocacy for policy reforms. The services arebeing received by those who are mentally indistress, physically and sexually assaultedwomen, ill treated parents and old aged,neglected children, victims of rape or / andHIV /AIDS, terminally ill and dying, unwedmothers and so on.XII. PUBLICATIONSi) Crime and Justice:Jananeethi published a critique ofMalimath Committee Recommendations forcriminal justice administration in India. TheCommittee was appointed by the Governmentof India during the BJP regime for improvingthe justice administration under criminaljurisprudence. However, the so-called‘recommendations’ of the Committee appearto be alarming and embarrassing to the humanrights community and Mr.Basil Fernando,

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Honourable Mr. Justice K.A.Abdul Gafoor released the book ‘Niyamaprakaram’giving it to Mr. Varghese, Secretary of Autorikshaw Swathanthra Thozhilali Union.Executive Director of Asian Human RightsCommission and eminent human rights activistand author of many publications, prepared thecritique and Jananeethi published it with a title‘Crime and Justice’. The book was muchappreciated by distinguished jurists andlawyers all over the country. The chairman ofLaw Commission of India himself wrote toJananeethi asking more copies of the bookfor distribution among its members.ii) ‘Niyamaprakaram’ (Structures ofLaw):It was a long cherished desire ofJananeethi to publish a hand book onelementary laws for the common man / womanwho is unable to understand the dos anddon’ts in law. Jananeethi wanted to enablethem to help themselves by placing acomprehensive collection of essential laws inprinted format and in layman’s language. Thiswas possible when the Norwegian HumanRights Fund was magnificentlysympathetic toJananeethi sponsoring thecost of production of sucha publication. The bookwas published at a meetingorganized on 5.7.03 atGovt. Law College byJananeethi. HonourableMr. Justice K.A.AbdulGafoor, Senior Judge ofKerala High Court andExecutive Chairman ofState Legal Services Authority released thebook giving it to three representatives of thegeneral public, Mrs. K. Padmavathy, Memberof Thiruvillamala Panchayath, Mr. K.K.Kuttan, social worker and Mr. Varghese,Secretary of Autorikshaw SwathanthraThozhilali Union. Honourable Mr. Justice R.Basant of Kerala High Court delivered thekeynote address on the relevance of legal literacyin a democratic State. Prof. K.G.Sankara Pillai, Chairman of Jananeethi presidedover the meeting and Prof. Rita, Principalof Law College and Advocate T.K.Sasindran, President of Thrissur Bar Associationand Mr V.P. Lison, Chairman of students’union of Law college spoke on theoccasion.iii) Multi-lingual folders on torture prevention:The statement released on the final dayof Jananeethi – AHRC joint workshop in31

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Thrissur on CAT (Convention against torture)was translated into Hindi, Tamil andMalayalam taking the importance of thesubject into account and published fromThrissur. Hundreds of copies of the same arein circulation among NGOs and Law Centresabroad.iv). Jananeethi Profile:Jananeethi was much applauded as itemerged from its inadequacy of showing itsown ideals and activities to its visitingbenefactors and faculty members. This wasdone through the good work of Dr. FrancisXavier, Associate Professor, College ofVeterinary and Animal Sciences, KAU,Mannuthy and a member of the Board ofDirectors of Jananeethi. The short film madeby Dr. Francis Xavier on behalf of Jananeethiruns about 25 minutes and explains a ‘day inJananeethi’ with focus on its vision and workstyle.The film was much appreciated both inIndia and abroad.v) Beyond the borders: Jananeethi newsbulletin for overseas friends:Many of our friends and well wishersabroad were curious to know and follow ouractivities. Hence in November 2003Jananeethi started an English bulletin ofJananeethi activities and services exclusivelymeant for our partners and collaboratorsabroad. Copies of the bulletin were printedand distributed among our friends byrespective groups.32In addition to the English edition ofJananeethi news bulletin, Jananeethi monthlybulletin in Malayalam was made available one-mail from January 2004 to our Malayaleefriends who have access to e-mail facilities.This has made communication much easierand fast.vi) Jananeethi Monthly JournalJananeethi journal started in 1993 as aquarterly and became a monthly from 1996.It is still being published without fail. TheEditorial Committee is doing a commentablejob in bringing it out every month withoutcompromising its quality. Many of ourconcerns are highlighted and presented to thepublic through the bulletin. The manager ofSt.Mary’s printing press Mr. Zevi Varghese,the main composer and page maker Mr. SojLowrance and their companions are alsoremembered here with sincere gratitude fortheir service and understanding.vii) www.jananeethi.org:Jananeethi has developed its ownwebsite since 1999 and has enriched itsubstantially over the years. Efforts have beenmade to update it at regular intervals. Thanksto the dedicated services of Dr. FrancisXavier and technical expertise and good willof our benefactors in the US, Dr. E.Sagathevan and Mr. Sunil Mathen, the sitehas attracted many viewers across the globe.Dr. Sagathevan who is based in United States

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004has voluntarily donated 450 MB space forJananeethi. He closely monitors and updatesJananeethi site. We place on record ourappreciation and indebtedness to him. Theservices of Mr. A.B. Prasad and Ms. T.G.Prabha are also gratefully acknowledged.XIII. RECEPTION to Mr. T. HARIDASMr. Thottumury Haridas, Member of theBoard of Directors of Jananeethi Institute, whowon Global Award from Government of Indiaand State Awards for his magnificent servicesfor the promotion of Kerala Culture inWestern Europe was given a warm receptionat Jananeethi on 30 th of August 2003. TheChairman of Jananeethi, Prof. K.G. SankaraPillai together with the Members of the Boardand Executive Committee, the working staffand friends of Jananeethi were invited tofelicitate Mr.Haridas who has contributedmuch for the promotion of Jananeethi idealsin the West. Prof. Sankara Pillai spoke onthe occasion and introduced Jananeethiactivities to Mr.Haridas who expressed hishighest appreciation for the humanitarianactivities of Jananeethi.XIV. JANANEETHI DAYAs usual, 30 th December 2003, the 12 thbirth day of Jananeethi was observed withdue importance. The new project for a‘Crime-free Society’ was launched on the dayby Honourable Mr. Justice K.A. AbdulMr. T. Haridas speaksGafoor, the Senior Judge of Kerala HighCourt and Executive Chairman of KSLSAwas the chief guest of the day. Dr. K.N.Panikkar, Vice Chancellor of SreeSankaracharya Sanskrit University andChairman of Jananeethi Institute presidedover the meeting. The District and SessionsJudge of Thrissur Mr. James Murickan, theMayor of Thrissur Corporation Mr. K.Radhakrishnan, the DIG of Central Range Mr.Y. Anilkumar, the District Collector Dr. V.M.Gopala Menon, the DSP of Thrissur Mr. G.Janardhanan Nair, Prof. K.G. Sankara Pillaiand a large crowd of distinguished guests andfriends of Jananeethi from the locality andother places attended the function, which wasorganized in the premises of JananeethiInstitute, Mullakkara, Mannuthy, Thrissur.33

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004the result of the deliberations, a society wasformed under the title ‘Rule of Law Centre’in Colombo. The new society is intended tobe a platform of India, Sri Lanka,Bangaladesh, Thailand and Nepal for jointactivities in the area of torture prevention andhuman rights promotion. Jananeethi is amember of the Executive Body representingIndia.XV. CONFERENCES WORKSHOPS /PRESENTATIONSProf. K.G. Sankara Pillai, Chairman ofJananeethi and Advocate Ms. JasmineJoseph, senior law officer of Jananeethi visitedSri Lanka for a week on special invitation byour friends in Sri Lanka. The trip wassponsored by the Asian Human RightsCommission, Hong Kong. Prof. Sankara Pillaiand Ms. Jasmine attended various workshopsand conferences in Kandy, and Colombo, andvisited organizations ‘Janasansadaya’, SETIKand PAT. A brief report by them on their visithas been attached to this report as annexure(Annexure 7).Jananeethi was again invited to Sri Lankafor further interactions and deliberations. In34Dr. K.N. Panikkar delivers presidential addressGeorge Pulikuthiyil, Executive Directorof Jananeethi, visited UK during October –December 2003 and Hong Kong duringJanuary 2004. His UK trip was sponsoredby our friends in Portsmouth and Hong Kongtrip by the Asian Human Rights Commission.In UK, advocate George spoke to variousgroups at Birmingham, Coventry, MiltonKeynes, Colchester, Cambridge,Southampton and London on Jananeethiprogrammes and screened video film‘Jananeethi Profile’. He was invited to HongKong by AHRC as resource person toparticipate in a South Asia Workshop on Ruleof Law and Human Rights.Advocates Sini and Saji Joseph attendeda National Workshop organized by IWID(Initiatives by Women in Development) atChennai from 19th to 22nd Feb.2004 onWomen and Housing. The workshop wasorganized for activists organizations andagencies.Advocates P. Krishnakumar and SojanJob were delegates on behalf of Jananeethi

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004XVI.FEED-BACKSFrom the South Asia Workshop on Rule of Law and Human Rights- Hong Kongat the national workshop organized at UnitedTheological College, Bangalore by NationalAlliance of Women Organisations (NAWO)from 12 th to 16 th March 2004. The workshopwas principally intended for advocates whowork among marginalized sections of societyand are engaged in legal aid services.Advocate Sini Saji and Ms Jincy Josephrepresented Jananeethi at the nationalworkshop organized by SAKHI, ournetworking partner organization inThiruvananthapuram, on 23rd to 25th March2004. The subject of discussion was KeralaDevelopment – A Feminist Perspective.Advocate Sini Saji was also delegate toa one-day consultation on Women’s Rightsas Human Rights at Ernakulam on 13thJanuary 2004. The consultation wasorganized by Human Rights Law Networkand Cultural Academy for Peace. CarolynCohen from Columbia University and Dr.Ramola Joseph from St. Theresa’s, Ernakulamwere resource persons of the consultation.Jananeethi believes in self-improvisationby referring to the feedbacks of our clientele,former colleagues, our visitors, and the internswho work with Jananeethi for short periods.Hence from this year onwards we wish toinclude as part of this annual report the views,experiences and comments of those who havereceived our services as well as those whohave worked in Jananeethi either as memberof staff or an intern and those who have beento Jananeethi or have learned about Jananeethifrom its relevant documents. Their views asshort notes are appended to this report asannexure (Annexure 6).XVII. JANANEETHI STAFFThe reporting year has witnessed thelargest number of staff in the office. The lawfaculty of Jananeethi consisted of AdvocatesJasmine Joseph, P.P. Vineeth, Faritha Ansari,Sini Saji, P. Krishnakumar and Sojan Job,while Advocates Bijo Francis, Seby J. Pullely,Saji Joseph, Aji S., E.S. Suresh and Jijo Paulextended their legal support and assistancefrom outside on request. Smt. K.K.Radhamani, Smt. E. Jayasree, Ms. JincyJoseph, Ms. Manju John, Shri. T.K.Naveenachandran, Shri. K.K. Sudevan, andShri. A.R. Johnson formed the project staffand field officers, while Shri. M.N. SureshBabu and Shri. P.P. Francis were exclusivelyentrusted with the accounting and35

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-200429%11%6%Allocation of Man-power in Jananeethi during 2003-200431%Legal Aid & AssistanceHuman Rights & Environmental AdvocacyGender & People's EmpowermentProgramme Co-ordination & Office ManagementMobilization of Resources & Networking23%documentation, and Smt. Elsy Tony, Shri. B.Abith and Shri. M.Ratheesh Kumar attendedthe chores of the office and JananeethiInstitute. Shri. N. Subramannian, AdvocateE.V. Joshy, Shri. A.B. Prasad, Shri. V.V.Ganesh and Ms. T. Jyothi discontinued theirservices for personal reasons. Shri.BoldrinMichael worked for Jananeethi for a shortperiod as investigator of torture cases and hasterminated his active involvements inJananeethi to complete his postgraduatestudies. Mr.B.Prasanth worked for a shortwhile on a specific assignment of preparing ashadow report to be submitted to the UN onhuman rights violations. He had to wind upthe work because our liaison in the UN didnot progress as we had hoped for. Theinspiring presence and charisma of ourbeloved chairman Prof. K.G. Sankarapillai,the most celebrated poet and icon ofhumanistic culture, guided Jananeethi todignified ethical and aesthetic heights. Dr.George Mathen regularly checked theaccounts and has given proper directions to36the concerned staff while Dr.Francis Xavierattended to the web management and cyberrelations. Prof. M.P. Antoney, Prof. N.N.Gokuldas, Engineers Paul JosephKattookaran and P.O. Thomas, Prof. E.H.Devi, Advocate Johnson Ainikal, Smt. K.R.Indira, Shri. Ajayakumar Meleveetil, Shri.P.N. Gopikrishnan and Shri. P.S.Manojkumar were always available atJananeethi ready to undertake anyresponsibility voluntarily and with dedication.Jananeethi owes very very much to them forwhat Jananeethi is today.XVIII. JANANEETHI INSTITUTEMs. Vaishna Roy, Associate Editor ofOUTLOOK money magazine and a versatilewriter on environmental topics, has joinedJananeethi Institute as a member of its Boardof Directors. Jananeethi Institute, withDr.K.N.Panikkar as its Chairman, has heldfour Board Meetings during the year underreport and is in the process of designing a

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004concrete plan of action in pursuant of itsdeclared objectives.The first building on the campus has beencompleted and will be fully furnished in a fewweeks from now. It will be dedicated for theservices of the Institute. A detailed MasterPlan for the Jananeethi campus is under way.Mr.Lijo Jose, a distinguished, young prolificarchitect, has volunteered to prepare the planfree of cost. Separate report of the Institutewill be ready for submission shortly as perthe requirement of the Registration of SocietiesAct.XIX. PROJECTSJananeethi was involved mainly in twoprojects during the year under report. A Studyof Dowry System in Kerala, which wassponsored by the Federal Grants of theAmerican Centre in New Delhi, wascompleted in December 2003 and its finalreport together with its statements of accountswas submitted to the Centre in February2004.The second and thecurrent project by the FederalGrants is for JananeethiProgrammes for Freedomfrom Litigation andSustainable Development. Itaims at a Crime-free Society,which may sound quite‘Utopian’. However,51%Jannaeethi honestly believes that with people’sparticipation nothing is ‘Utopian’, and a crimefreesociety will emerge as a reality providedwe succeed in organizing people and theirresources.XX. FUNDSThe major source of funds for theJananeethi programmes in the reporting yearwas the Federal Grant sanctioned from theAmerican Centre, New Delhi. An amount ofRs. 881100.00 was sanctioned for the Studyon Dowry System in Kerala, which was partlyexpended during this reporting year. Thecurrent project expects a total expenditure ofRs23.5 lakhs, of which a proportionateamount will be utilized during the period underreport. Detailed statements on income andexpenditure is given below for verification.Benefactors and friends of Jananeethi,in India and abroad, were also sources ofsupport, though not on a large scale. TheAsian Human Rights Commission, JananeethiAllocation of Funds in Jananeethi during 2003-20046%20%13%10%Services of lawProtection & promotion of human rightsProject based programmesAdministrative expensesAssets37

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004friends in UK (Mr. T. Haridas, Dr. P.M.George, Dr. Omana Thachil, Dr. V.T. Jose,Rev. Richard Maniak, Ms. Helen G. Gould,Mrs. Eleanor, Sr. Bernadite and Community,and friends of Advocate George Pulikuthiyil)were profoundly generous in supportingJananeethi activities by contributing their mightin their own way.We also had to depend on interest-freeloans in emergency situations. We remain verygrateful to our sympathizers and well wisherswho never said ‘NO’ to any of our requests.Jananeethi could not have been alive andactive without their timely intervention andsupport.XXI. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTSAND BALANCE SHEETAudit Report and Balance Sheet of2003-2004 are appended to this report asannexutre (Annexutre 10).XXII. CONCLUSIONWe live in an era when war, terror andthreats of political violence have become amuch greater part of many people’s lives, anera when inaction is not an option. Politicalstruggle is not primarily a contest of arms oreconomic struggle. It is a contest of wills inwhich one side seeks to impose its will on theother. But no matter how powerful the GlobalEmpire Builders’ means of military, economicand cultural power, they can never be sure ofsucceeding because political opposition alsodepends on something they cannot control –the determination and will of people to resist,founded on their own intellectual and moralresources. This resistance of the civil societyis expressed through a myriad means aimingto empower them for self-assertion and selfreliance.Beneath every activity, everyassignment, every plan of action for the futureJananeethi had this agenda and we believethat it has been serving this purpose dutifullyand with diligence for the people and thenation.“O! it is excellentTo have a giant’s strengthBut it is tyrannousTo use it like a giant”.William Shakespearein Measure for MeasureThrissur,September 19, 2004.38George PulikuthiyilExecutive Director

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004identifying themselves as labourers, self-employedand government servants.The study was complete with three stages,namely an opinion survey by filling the questionnairepreceded by a short discourse on thelegal rights and wrongs in the case of dowry;conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGD)based on the stamped impressions and vexedideas of women and men on dowry, and finallyorganizing Regional Workshops at three majorregional centres intended for vibrant groupssuch as activists, social workers, feminists,academics, journalists, NGO representatives,institutional heads and human rights defenders.Results / Findings:40The findings from the study may be summedup as follows: (i) Dowry is widely been practicedin Kerala society, (ii) the people of Kerala,irrespective of their religious, educational, financialand occupational status or affiliationcondone, if not openly promote, dowry thoughall of them are quite aware of its disastrousrepercussions; (iii) the higher is the educationalstatus, the greater is the expectancy / demandof dowry, (iv) many affluent societies / familiesjustify dowry for not giving equal share ofthe ancestral property to female members ofthe family, (v) very few women only believethat dowry should remain as their asset andthat it should not be claimed by husband / husbands’family; (vi) religions, political organizations,people’s movements and voluntary agencieshave not been able to bring control / restrainton dowry, rather they directly or indirectlyfacilitated for its continuance, and (vii)the evil consequences of dowry ruin severalfamilies, it causes stumbling blocks for the futureof the younger one’s at home, it cuts thebride’s relationship with her own family andthat it often ends up in suicide or homicide ofthe bride.Conclusion:Dowry has been approved as integral componentof marriage as an institution. However itsmodes of expressions vary from people topeople, depending their educational, occupational,cultural, regional and ethnic backgrounds.Dowry in cash and gold (ornaments)occupy either first or second priority for allsections of society – young and old, womenand men, rural and urban, higher and lowereducation groups as well. However, young menand young women preferred vehicles as a thirdpriority while the parents would go for landedproperty or a residential house, instead.The greed and avarice of people and demandfor dowry are very much related. Higher educationand occupation of higher positions insociety have not been able to bring change inthe attitude towards dowry. Marriage is viewedat as an opportunity to enhance the materialwealth of the husband’s family. This has anadverse effect on the education of female children.Because if they are educated, naturallythey should look for an equally educated orbetter educated male partner who will surelyexpect a higher amount as dowry. Hence parentsof low income groups refuse to give bettereducation to their daughters while they are

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ready to sacrifice to any extent for their son’sbest education.Apparent difference was noticed in the caseof different income groups. It was so foundthat young men and young women of low incomegroups were much concerned of dowry,where as it was not that strong in the case oftheir counter parts in the middle income andhigher income groups. But in the case of parents,the situation was quite different. Parentsof lower income and higher income groupswere more insistent on dowry while it was notthe case with middle income group.Further, demand of dowry was much strongeramong business men and professionals whileother groups like farmers and working classshowed more tolerance and human consideration.It was strange and astonishing to note that religionsnever helped to correct the systemmaligned by the evil practice of dowry. One ofthe major reasons for this sad and sickeningsituation was the gender discrimination thatexists in all spheres of religion. It was noticedwith pain that even relatively better educatedwomen who have been associating with decisionmaking bodies of religious groups were inconformity with male chauvinism and said thathusband had full authority over the soul andbody of his wife.Suggested Policy Measures:In the light of the study on dowry in Kerala,the following suggestions have been made asPolicy Measures. State government, local bodies,religious hierarchies, non-governmentalorganisations and law implementing agenciesare earnestly requested to consider implementationof the recommended action strategiesas given below.1. A national campaign to abolish dowryand caste system is mandatory, becausetogether they tended to reinforce thesystem of caste endogamy.2. Fervent appeal is made to religious leadersand institutions to denounce publiclyall practices and dogmatic admonitionsthat strengthened son preferences andmasculinity of God.3. Public protests should be organizedagainst ostentatious displays at weddings.Steps should be taken to encourageand promote inter-caste, own-choiceand non-dowry marriages, to close downinstitutions and clinics where sex-determinationtests are performed and to stopadvertisements and media relatedprogrammes that encourage dowry systemin all its myriad forms.4. Anti-dowry struggles should be madepart of the mainstream political struggle.All political parties should be appealedto incorporate total eradication of thedowry system from the society into theirelection manifesto of the forthcomingparliament elections.5. Girl’s right to equal share in her ancestralproperty should not be meddled withher marriage. She and every body elseshould have a clear idea of how much4 411

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004she would be entitled to receive. It couldbe given to her only after 5 years of hermarriage. During this period, from thedate of her marriage to the date of thedevolution of the property in her name,she should be entitled to the income fromthe property, if so applicable.6. Every girl should have a regular sourceof income to qualify herself fit for marriageand that she should not be requiredof to give up her employment for thetake of her marriage. Men should beadvised or counselled to share the familychores and to alleviate the hardships,their female counterparts undergo athome.7. Government should be urged to enforcethe Dowry Prohibition Act effectivelyand efficiently. The government shouldalso be motivated to activate its concerneddepartments to ensure those whospend excessively on marriage celebrationsfile statements before concerneddepartments regarding the cost involvedand its source.8. If a Government servant is found tohave violated the law and has demandedor caused to demand dowry should bedisentitled to all benefits and privilegesincluding further promotion in service.9. Every marriage has to be recorded atlocal bodies and mention on the amountof dowry should specifically be made.It should be ascertained that whateveris given as dowry remains in the nameof the bride alone.10.Anti-dowry campaign should be madepart of school curriculum.42

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNEXURE 2INTERIM REPORT OF “FREEDOM FROM LITIGATION ANDSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”INTERIM PERFORMANCE REPORTPeriod: 1-10-2003 to 31-3-2004Project title : SOCIAL JUSTICE AND FREEDOM FROM LITIGATIONReference : Grant No. S–IN600–03–GR–025Executing institution : JANANEETHI, T.B. Road, Mission QuartersThrissur - 680001, Kerala, IndiaPrefaceThis project is an experiment, unique on itsown. The success of Jananeethi in the year2000 at Thichur, Kerala in establishing a LitigationFree Village, first of its kind in the country,prompted us to envision the current project.Development is the key word in the socio-politicalscenario of the State but the commonpopulous is marginalized increasingly due to themisconceived policies of the rulers. The currentapproach towards development is a singlestream process concentrating only on the economicfront that too is beyond the reach ofmany. The much-celebrated Kerala modeldevelopment through people’s participation isnow rated rather as a failure in general but forcertain leaps and bounds. The strains prevailingin the society is never addressed or focusedby the planners. The lack of peace and accordin the society is the most vital aspect that pullsback development. ‘Sustainable developmentis possible only in a harmonious society’ is thevision of Jananeethi. Government machineriescarry out welfare schemes that seldomreach the poor, needy and the marginalized.The expended amount on grass root planningand development is enormous but the resultsare abysmal. A critical reflection about the dividebetween planning and base realities in thecore group of Jananeethi, suggested a multifacetedapproach towards establishing GramaSwaraj. The project thus is an edeavour tosculpt a new paradigm of development.Objectives§ Establishment of litigation free society§ Programme for public health§ Model interventions in environmentalprotection§ Literacy and continuing education§ Promotion of women leadership43

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004§ Campaign against social evils§ Strengthening neighbourhood groups§ Awareness campaign in social, cultural,legal and economic issuesProject area44Staff profile1. Mr. George Pulikuthiyil Project Director2. Mr. P.P. Vineeth Project Co-ordinator3. Ms. K.K. Radhamani Project Officer4. Ms. Faritha Ansari Project Assistant5. Ms. Sini Saji Project Assistant6. Mr. P. Krishnakumar Project Assistant7. Ms. E. Jayasree Project Assistant8. Mr. T.K. Naveenachandran Field Assistant9. Ms. Jincy Joseph Field Assistant10. Mr. M.N. Suresh Babu Accountant11. Mr. P.P. Francis Data Entry Operator12. Mr. K.K. Sudevan Administrative Assistant

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Support partnersThe project is envisaged with maximum participationfrom different categories of people;the beneficiaries of the project, other actorsin the community, government and authorities.To the successful carrying out of the workthe following are identified as the support partners§ Identifying the potential§ Enlisting the support available§ Prioritizing the needs§ Locating key personsThe project staff had identified prospectivevillage animators by that time and together theytook charge of the students who visited a designatedlot of residences to collect data in asurvey schedule. This exercise provided vitalinformation about population, problems, needand aspirations of the people of the community.§ Thrissur District Administration§ District Legal Services Authority§ Corporation of Thrissur§ MSW Dept., Vimala College Thrissur§ Government Law College, Thrissur§ Dept. of Economics, St. Aloysius College,Thrissur§ Kerala Agricultural UniversityPRELIMINARY STAGEData generationResource mapping and need assessment wasthe first activity that was conducted in theproject area. The data collection and tabulationwas conducted with the help of the studentsof Economics, St. Aloysius College,Thrissur. The survey was organized with thefollowing objectivesTraining to village animatorsThe project is designed as action oriented andneeds immense participation of the people.Constant touch with the people along with apermanent link in the locality is essential. Henceit was decided to have twenty village animatorswho will the bridge between the projectstaff and the community. The policy is to availthe services of women as village animators asfar as possible and that they should be residentsof the concerned area. The selected animatorswere given a one-day trainingprogramme on February 21, 2004. Shri ManuJose and Baby Chalil were the resource personsfor the training. The training was focussedmainly on (i) development of communicationskills, leadership, group dynamics, organizationaltechniques and visual presentation ofcase studies45

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004The animators are meeting once in everymonth to set goals and to review the performanceof the past month. These monthlymeetings are devised as information disseminationsession whereby the animators areequipped to address the problems of the peopleand to offer guidance to them.Project execution46The project has three phases and the preliminarystage is successfully completed and thesecond stage is in progress. The projectneeds to be executed in close link withthe people and the community as a whole.This reach is designed through formationof and constant interaction withneighbourhood groups.The formation of such groups, therefore,was one of the primary task in the projectexecution. The project area is divided into5 divisions and each division was placedin charge of a Project Officer/ projectAssistant. The staffs were given targetto form 15 groups in each of their areaand a total of 77 groups are formed asof now, which is slightly above the targetgiven. These neighbourhood groups aremeeting once in a month. Informal discussionsabout the project were conducted in suchgroups and community responses were collected.The last segment of the preliminarystage was the formal launching of the projectand the same was done in grandeur.The formal project inauguration was convenedin project area on 30-12-2003. The well attendedceremony was presided by Dr. K.N.Panicker, The Vice Chancellor, Sree SankaraSankrit University who is the Chairman ofJananeethi Institute of Justice education, Researchand Development. The inaugurationwas graciously done by Mr. Justice K.A.Abdul Gafoor, Hon.ble Judge, High Court ofKerala and the Executive Chairman of theState Legal Services Authority. The top brassin the district administration and police departmentand the Council Members of the ThrissurCorporation were present on the occasion.Mr. Justice K.A. Abdul Gafoor, Hon’ble Judge, Kerala High Court inaugurates

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004SECOND STAGEThough it was Jananeethi who visualized theprogrammes under the project, we were keento transform this as a peoples programme.With that intention in mind a general committeeof the prople of the locality is formed whichis representative in nature and the secondstage of the project is being done in close unisonwith this committee. Priority areas forprogrammes and campaigns throughneighbourhood groups were fixed and theproject staff is progressing steadily on the followingareas:-§ Human rights§ Gender justice§ Leagal literacy§ Environmental protection§ Secular culture§ Income generation§ Community Health§ Participatory development§ Civic duties§ Women empowerment§ Programmes for children and adolescentsThe help of external faculties and experts arebeing used to conduct programmes in thesedesignated topics/issues. Meeting of eachgroup is convened once in a month but thepresence of the village animators and theproject staff keeps a constant touch with thepeople of the community and they address daytoday problems too. The follow up of eachmeeting is placed in the charge of the animatorsand the project officer/ assistant.The second phase of the project have an importanttask to accomplish that is to achievelitigation free status for the village. The datacollected in the first survey was tabulated andthe issues and problems were identified. Asecond survey to locate individual cases andcomplaints is being completed and the sameis the base document, which is used to organizepre-adalat counseling, adalat and finalsettlement of the cases. These activities aredone with the support and guidance of theDistrict Legal Services Authority. The agreementsreached in these adalats will be as goodas a decree and will have finality in the presentlegal system. Pre-adalat counseling to form amindset of compromises is in progress andefforts to redress the complaints of the communityis being sorted and addressed in appropriateoffices and forums.Monitoring and EvaluationThe project has an integral component of monitoringand evaluation through its monitoringwing. After the completion of the first phasethe progress of the project was presented andassessed. The wing is expected to meet oncein three months and at the end of each phaseof the project. The committee consist of Dr.George Mathan, Prof. N.N. Gokuldas, Prof.47

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004E.H. Devi, Prof. M.P. Antony, Mrs. K.R.Indira the Project Director and the Project CoordinatorConclusionThe second phase of the project is expectedto be over by June 30 th , 2004. There are manychallenges and difficulties being faced duringthe execution of the project.We place on record our sincere gratitude tothe American Center, New Delhi for the supportextended to us.The project intends to create a ‘crime-free’society which sounds very much ‘utopian’.However, Jananeethi believes in hardwork andin the inherent goodness of people. We believes‘nothing is impossible, provided there is supportfrom people”. Our attempts to organise48and motivate people in the first stage wereproved significantly successful. Through ourproject area is a ‘crime-prone’ area as perpolice records, our initial experiences are reallyencouraging. More and more people areattending Jananeethi programmes. During thesecond stage of the project , a re-survey isbeing conducted with respect to cases/ complaintspending disposal. We hope to sort outand dispose all disposable cases, civil and criminal, with the full involvement of the parties tothe dispute and in the presence of appropriateauthorities. And in the third stage, we intendto focuss on more creation works towards thesustainability of the progress they make throughtheir own involvements.George Pulikuthiyil2-4-2004 Project Director.

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNEXURE 3TORTURE and CUSTODIAL VIOLENCE(1)Place of occurrence : Thrithala, Palakkad District, Kerala State, India.Date and time of occurrence : 10.00 am on February 2004.Victim : Kolavan (60)Meenkarayil houseKannanur P.O, ThrithalaPalakkad Dist., Kerala, India.The perpetrator : The sub-inspector of police, Thrithala police station.Facts of the case:Kolavan, 60 years, belongs to the most vulnerablecommunity of scheduled castes. He livesin Thrithala village, Ottappalam Thaluka, inPalakkad district, Kerala State. He supportshis family by raring cattle.Kolavan and his brother Kotha were not in goodterms. They had a fight on January 20, 2004and Kotha had wounded Kolavan by hittinghim with a stone. Consequently Kolavan wasadmitted in government hospital at Pattambifor a short while. He made a written complaintagainst his brother Kotha to the Thrithala policestation for physical assault and bodily injury.Accordingly the Sub Inspector of policeof Thrithala police station summoned bothKolavan and his brother Kotha, the accused,to the police station asking them to report onFebruary 8, 2004. Kolavan went alone to thepolice station while his errant brother was escortedby his employer, an engineer by profession,who is well known and influential in thepolice department.After hearing both parties in separate, the SubInspector of police asked Kolavan to withdrawhis complaint and compromise to his brotherunconditionally. It was obvious that the policeofficer was bribed and was influenced. HenceKolavan declined the demand of the policeofficer and refused to settle the matter on thespot. This made the police officer furious andacrimonious. He (the police officer) beat athis navel and pulled him up holding on it. Dueto shock, pain, shame and fear of death, theold man passed urine on the spot and was inutter dismay. The dreadful Sub Inspector ofpolice threatened him of dire consequences ifhe (Kolavan) had not yielded to compromise.However, Kolavan was silent and was not respondingto the questions of the police officer.49

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004This triggered the wrath of the apparently angrySub Inspector who jumped on the old manand slapped on his both ears simultaneouslywith full force. Kolavan fell flat on the floorunconscious. After a while he got back to hissenses but himself unable to lift himself on hislegs. He had lost his control on his body. Hecould not walk, nor was he able to hear. Laterthe violent officer forcibly obtained Kola van’sfinger prints on certain blank papers. Kolavannow believes that the police officer must haveused those papers to prepare false and fabricatedevidences to the effect that he had compromisedwith his brother in the police stationKolavan has only one daughter who was marriedand living with her family in another village.His ailing and sickly wife was not able totake him to proper medical treatment immediatelyafter the tragic incident. Two days later,he started showing acute symptoms of urinaryinfection and sever pain in the abdomen. Hedeveloped pain in the ears and had hearing disability.In the result he was admitted in governmenthospital at Pattambi on Fegruary 2004where he was directed to take better and specialisttreatment at Nila hospital, Pattambi. He(2)later was undergone a surgery to correct hisdamaged ear diaphragms and was put understrict medication for more than two weeks.The police continued their torture in otherforms. The hospital authorities had informedthe Circle Inspector of Police regarding theinjuries of Kolavan and the legal implicationson the errant officers. The Circle Inspectorvisited the patient in the hospital on the followingday and he with the help of the ENT doctortook in possession of the medical certificatewhich was earlier issued by the first hospitalwhere Kolavan had been admitted immediatelyafter the incident. It had specificallymentioned the damages due to police torture.On the advice of the Circle Inspector the ENTdoctor issued a fresh certificate to Kolavanthat doesn’t mention any thing against the police.On the other hand it said that the hearingdisability of Kolavan is only a natural development.Kolavan has sent complaints to all appropriateauthorities regarding the police atrocities andhis present state of suffering. No one was goodenough even to acknowledge his complaints.Date of occurrence : 26th February 2004Place of occurrence : Ponnani, in the State of Kerala, India.Name & address of the Victim : M.M. Abdul Hafeel, 24 yearsS/o Mammu MusliyarMukriyath House, Veliyankode P.O.Malappuram District, Kerala, India.Perpetrators of torture : Police officers attached to Perumpadappu Police StationCase status : Under investigation5049

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Case details:Mr. M.M. Abdul Hafeel, 24 years, S/oMammu, a Muslim by birth belonged to a largepoor family where he was the bread winnerfor many. He with friends went to the festivalof the local Hindu temple at Vattekkad on the26 th February 2004. As customary to the Hindufestivals, there was a pompous, ceremonialprocession with traditional musical trumpetsand other accompaniment. Normally these processions,in respect to the house of worship ofother faith, stop their musical performancewhile they pass a Muslim or Christian mosqueor church. This did not happen in the case ofthe procession at Vattekkad. Naturally it irritatedthe Muslim community and hence AbdulHafeel and his friends forced the musical performersto stop playing the instruments in frontof the mosque. Reportedly they forcefullysnatched the instruments from the performers.Hafeel, though was not personally involved,was a supporter those who restrained the performers.There were few police men under the ASI ofPerumpadappu station who rushed to the spotto take control of the situation. With out anyreason, the police targeted on Hafeel only andHafeel was chased by the police until he wastaken into their custody. Hafeel was brutallybeaten and assaulted by the police. He wasrounded up and was taken into police custodyin a paddy field. The police used their lathy(the wooden stick, short but solid used by police)and hands and legs to hammer and kickHafeel. More police force came to the help ofthe perpetrators They curled his body andsmashed him under his neck and shoulder. Hewas dragged around 100 metres. Eye witnessesreport that he was yearning and begging forwater to drink but was mercilessly refused bythe virulent police men.According to reports Hafeel was taken to thecompound wall and was made to stand againstthe wall. The police hit his head against thewall and there was bleeding profusely fromhis head. Further the police kicked him at hisabdomen. Hafeel was seen shrinking in pain.Then they made him stand near a boundarywall and hit his head on the wall. Later, hewas thrown into the back of the police vehiclewhere the police continued their attacks. Witnessesreport that Hafeel was almost fainting.He could not hold himself on his leg. He fell onthe floor of vehicle, was reduced to a bundleof blood-soaked linen and flesh.By the evening, at 6.45 pm Mr. Shuhaib,Hafeel’s relative and one Mr.Beerankutty, thevice president of the local civic body(panchayath) made phone calls to thePerumpadappu police station and enquiredabout Hafeel. They were told by the policethat Hafeel would be released soon. A shortwhile later, one police officer, Mr. Azeez, informedMr.Beerankutty over telephone thatHafeel was badly vomiting blood and that someone should go to the police station immediately.Beerankutty and few of Hafeel’s friendsrushed to the police station and found Hafeellying on a mattress unconscious as if he wasdead.51

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004They took Hafeel to the primary health centreat Vattekkad where the resident doctor toldthem that Hafeel had succumbed to his injuries;but the police refused to accept thedoctor’s report and hence they took Hafeel tothe Royal hospital, Kunnamkulam. The doctorswho examined Hafeel confirmed his death.Hafeel was young, healthy and was known forhis good habits. He was not involved in anyillegal activity, nor was he implicated in anyprevious criminal or civil case. Hafeel died inthe hands of the police and the cause of hisdeath was police torture. The relatives ofHafeel are financially very poor and have noinfluence in the political higher-ups. The policeplays certain dirty game trying to interpretthe incident as if it was due to communal violence.There was no issues involved and thebereaved relatives of Hafeel have no complaintsagainst the Hindu community for the death ofHafeel. They strongly believe that Hafeel diedonly because of the brutal assaults and tortureof the police attached to the Vattekkadpolice station.Name of the Victim : Mr. Shinu (26)S/O Mathai, Edakkadu houseElambilakkodu, NilamburMalappuram District, Kerala, India.Alleged Perpetrators : Forest Officersunder the Forest Ranger of Karulai RangeNilambur, Southern DivisionMalappuram District Kerala,India.(3)Date of Occurrence : 29 March-2004.Case details:52Shinu, aged 26 years, S/o Mathai, and employedas plantation supervisor (‘koop measthary’) inKarulai Teak Plantation under Nilambur SouthDivision of Forest Department was known forhis integrity and devotion to his duties. He sometimesago had given oral and written statementsto the Vigilance squad of the Forest Departmentwherein Mr.Viswambaran the RangeOfficer ,T.A Xavier, the foresters and A.S Bijuand Viswanathan the guard, were implicatedcausing fire in the forest and rampant illegalfelling of teak trees from Karulai andPulaikkapara ranges (no 1972,77,78 Teak plantation).The vigilance squad reported to theerring range officer Viswambharan that Shinuhad given written statements against three ofthem

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004On 29-03-04 Shinu went to Edakkara (a localplace) for some personal matters and afterhaving food he got off from the hotel at 5 pmthen he saw the jeep driver of Karulai rangeofficer and a forester standing near a taxi jeep.They called Shinu and told him that they wantto an urgent matter to him .Without understandingtheir tact’s he went near to them .Then suddenly they hold his neck and pushedhim into the jeep .There was six forest officialsinside the jeep including driver. Then theystarted the jeep and drive it very speedy. Whentheir vehicle just passed Kattakadavu Brideranger Viswambaran slapped Shinu’s bothcheeks. Due to severe pain, he cried loudlythen Guards shut his mouth with their handsand stabbed his rib with their stick (rool). Theysmashed him with their fist on his flipside. Theydrove the vehicle inside the forest in order toperform their dreadful torture perfectly. Nobodywas there to hear his moan. All the officialsin the jeep handled him separately. Aftersome time jeep was reached in Kalkkulam foreststation and locked him both hand over hisneck which made him unable to move. Leavinghim in that position they continued torturinghim .After some time he was brought toNedungayam rest house. But there has manypersons so they brought back Shinu to vehicleand drove to Karulai Forest Staff Quarters.They locked Shinu in a room. They demandedShinu to change his oral and written statementwhich was given to vigilance squad and askedhim to give a new statement to effect that theNehru Darson Activists are the real accusedin the case. They asked him to change thestatement repeatedly but he kept mum. Thenone of the foresters kicked his abdomen andasked to do so. He refused it again .Theysmashed on his chest and brutally beat on hisright elbow with their stick and punched himon his jaw. He was forced to sign in ten whitepapers because they threat him that they willkill him. He felt unconscious several time.When he regained his conscious they continuedtheir assaults. They threaten him and askedhim not to tell anything to anybody. They recordedhis arrest on 30 th March 2004 at12:30pm .They made false charges against himthat he illegally cut down the forest trees andmade fire in jungle. He was produced beforeMagistrate and remanded him for four days.After taking bail he was admitted in Sevanahospital Edakkara .Eventhough he was discharged, he could not do any work with histhe weak body. His sufferings could not bearhis body. Shinu is hailing from a poor family.He had sent complaints to Chief Minister, ForestMinister, D.G.P and principle home secretary.The police came and recorded his statement.But nothing has been done so far.This pathetic condition faced by this youngman who stood for justice reveals the realpicture of torture against witness, who hadshown courage to fight against corruptionand injustice53

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNEXURE 4STATEMENT OF NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON UN CONVENTIONAGAINST TORTUREDEALING WITH THE TREMENDOUS PROBLEM OF TORTUREA Group of human rights defenders and activists from different States of India gatheredat Trichur, Kerala, India from 15th to 18th August 2003 and discussed on the UNConvention against Torture. The focus of the deliberations was to launch a campaign inIndia for an early ratification of the Convention by India. The participants made severalobservations during the course of the discussion:1. Torture is widespread and has routinelybeen practised at police stations in India.Unchallenged and unopposed, it has become a‘normal’ and ‘legitimate’ practice all over.2. Torture often leads to custodial deaths,disappearances and deaths in ‘encounter’.Numbers of reported custodial deaths are quitehigh and keep escalating.3. Bedsides, there are other heavycasualties like fatal injuries, permanentdisablement, mental derailment, loss offaculties, psychological trauma etc.4. With the emergence of new ‘sanctions’of torture like the POTA, TADA, ESMA orTESMA that justify or legalize any amount oftorture, the police enjoys enormous freedomto have recourse to any such crimes,unaccounted for.545. Use of extremely crude and filthylanguage is very common and rampant at policestations. It amounts to cruel, inhuman ordegrading treatment, grossly derogatory to thedignity of the human person. We are ashamedof being told of the existence of a directory ofvulgar words, widely been used by the policepersonnel, published by a police officer in oneof the southern states.6. Torture has also been practised onwomen and minor girls in the form of custodialrape, molestation and other forms of sexualharassment.7. Torture has been inflicted not upon theaccused only, but on the bona-fide petitioners,complainants or informants, too. The policedeliberately delays FIR and unnecessarilyharasses / tortures them by taking their (police)wrath on them for no reasons.

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Fighting torture is very difficult and risky.The reasons are many.8. There is no impartial mechanism forreceiving complaints against Torture. Thecomplaints are to be made to police authoritiesthemselves. It only allows the police to bringin pressures and harassments on the victimswho are de-facto complainants. TheConvention against Torture requires impartialinvestigations. Unfortunately, in India the policeis not an independent force. The National andState Human Rights Commissions, and othernational institutions of India have neither thepower nor the provisions to deal with tortureeffectively. The National Commission forPolice Reforms many years ago hadrecommended that police in India should bemade independent. The National HumanRights Commission itself had gone to theSupreme Court with a plea for implementationof the recommendations of the National PoliceCommission. However, the absence of politicalwill in India has failed to introduce any suchchange.9. Torture and fabrication of cases arevery much linked. In the attempt of savingoffenders for obvious reasons, the policeimplicate innocent people in cases. And theyimpose any amount of cruelties and torture onsuch innocent people until a cooked up‘confession’ is extracted from the victimsregarding ‘offences’ they ‘committed’ with outknowing the subsequent legal consequencesthere of.10. Torture is not treated in India the wayit is required of by the Convention againstTorture. Only two sections in the penal code(Sections 330 and 331 of IPC) only deal withpunishment for use of force in obtainingconfessions. However, if torture is to be dealtwith effectively, it is essential that it should bemade an offence in terms of the Convention.This also involves provisions for adequatepunishment against torture. Thus, law againstTorture in India is extremely defective in termsof the international understanding and socialjurisprudence. To mention two examples, inHong Kong the offence of Torture carries lifesentence while in Sri Lanka it carries asentence for 7 years only.11. The prosecution system as it existsnow in India only militate against the victimsof human rights violations. The prosecutors actin many ways to protect the perpetrators.Prosecutors should be independent, competent,and appointed through a judicious process whoshould scrupulously uphold the cherished valuesenshrined in the statutes.12. In the present criminal justice systemin India, the victims or complainants have nodecisive role in the process of seeking redress.Every thing depends on the mercy of theinvestigative officer and the state prosecutorwho are often subject to manipulations and malpractices.Therefore, the De factocomplainants or victims, if they are resourcefuland confident, should be allowed to appoint his/ her own lawyers to conduct prosecution onhis /her behalf.13. India not having been ratified theConvention against Torture, Indians do not have55

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004the opportunity to find recourse to remediesthat are available under the international law.Indian practices with respect to torture doesnot come under international scrutiny. Effectiveaccess to services of Committee againstTorture ( CAT) and other mechanisms aredenied to the people living in the largestdemocracy in the world. Since the country hasalso not signed the optional Protocol to theCovenant on Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR), the citizens also do not have the rightto make individual complaints to the UNHuman Rights Committee. The victims aretrapped with the local system in which everyaspect militates against them. Victims aredeadlocked from the point of view of justice.Many victims are compelled to think that ajustice system accessible to the poor of theland does not exist at all.14. Despite the many human rights groups,an effective and powerful campaign forelimination of torture has yet to be developedin India. If we fail to protect us from torture,which is only the basic of all other fundamentalrights, we will not be able to vindicate any otherrights.15. “Human Rights Court” is a misnomer.What exists is an additional duty appended tothe already overworked judges. Thus,adjudication on human rights matters aretrapped with in the same cycle of delay andneglect that affects other cases. The generalprinciple that ‘justices delayed is justicemocked’ equally applies to these courts. Theconcept of Human Rights Courts needs to berevamped and re-envisaged so that an effective56mechanism must be introduced. Judges whosit in such courts need to have a thoroughknowledge of the human rights law and thatthey should be endowed with deep sense ofthe sublime supremacy of human life over allother considerations.16. The Malimath CommitteeRecommendations will not only undo thepractice of fair trial, but also will enhance thepower of police to an absolute level. It has tobe checked and carefully be resisted, if humanrights are to have any meaning in the Indiancontext.17. The early ratification of theConvention is an imperative if at all we wishto defend the human and civic rights of thetorture victims. It becomes mandatory for anyattempt for reforms in the police system as aneffective mechanism for law enforcement andadministration of justice.18. This Convention was ratified by mostcountries the world and India being a signatoryto the Convention has apparently has noexcuse no excuse for not ratifying theconvention. In fact, the unwillingness of theIndian Government to ratify the Conventionbrings only discredit to the people and placesthe country at a very shameful situation.19. The Citizens have the civicresponsibility to campaign for ratification of theTorture Convention. In fact, the NationalHuman Rights Commission has alreadyrecommended and urged the IndianGovernment to ratify the Torture Convention.Many high profiled organizations and eminent

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004citizens of international repute also havepressed the government on this issue.20. Meanwhile, it is highly necessary todocument torture cases in meticulous accuracy.Lack of proper documentation only helps theunfettered continuance of the barbaric methodsof torture and acquittal of the culprits. Hadthere been proper documentation, it would nothave been possible to hide the colossal anddevastative atrocities of the police whoseConstitutional mandate is to protect the people.NGOs should venture for scientific andsystematic documentation of torture and itsfollow-ups.21. Modern communication system offerstremendous opportunities for victims of Tortureto expose the magnitude of torture to the restof the world. It has been found quite successfulto co-ordinate and combine the domestic andinternational efforts to resist atrociousencroachment on human rights by way ofUrgent Appeals. Hence human rightsdefenders and activists should be equipped andbe conversant with what the informationtechnology offers for promotion of humanrights activity any where in the world, lessexpensively and in greater efficiency.22. The communal and caste divide inIndia is closely linked with torture. Police andlaw enforcement agencies have beeninstrumental for many of the recentcommunally charged and caste hatred violencein the country. Torture remains unaccountedand un- prosecuted. It leads total anarchy andrule of vandalism and lawlessness. Whenpolice becomes a party to such violence, itbecomes a ‘state sponsored crime’ against thepeople. Therefore, fight of communalism andcasteism should start with fight against torture.57

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNEXURE 558ABRIDGED VERSION OF JANANEETHI REPORT ON VAGAMONI. INTRODUCTIONVagamon in news:VAGAMON “ECO-TERRORISM”Jananeethi report“NATURAL RESOURCES ARE PERMANENT ASSETS OF MANKIND ANDARE NOT INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTED IN ONE GENERATION”.Supreme Court of India in Rural Litigation andEntitlement Kendra V State of UP (AIR 1987, SC359)They call it ‘eco-tourism’. It may appear moresensible if you name it ‘economic tourism’.‘Confuse, if you can not convince’ - is the newstrategy Indian polity has been experiencingof late. Beginning with the Paradise, misrepresentationhas been the effective tool usedby evil forces for the fall of man and distortionof nature. This strategy was effectively andextensively applied in Kerala state, in thecontext of the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM),the celebrated conglomeration of interests –market, mafia and manipulators. One of thetargets in the GIM, being emerged, is the‘dream land’ of “God’s own country” – theVagamon Region. This has been very much inpublic debate in Kerala in recent times.Importance of Vagamon:Eco-zones and bio-diversity hotspots have beenthe basis of diverse cultures and economicregimes. The Vagamon region is largely ruralcomprising tea plantations, forests andgrasslands. The present scenario is patheticallypoignant. The naturally formed streams arebeing blocked and the sudden huge inflow ofpeople in large and medium vehicles that plyon the silken hills have disturbed the naturalquiet, have shaken the soil, loosened the rockystructures and disturbed the entire ecology ofthe area.Vagamon, today, will remind us the great wiseIndian Chief of Seattle who in 1854 replied tothe offer of the White Chief in Washington tobuy their land. The reply is profound, it isbeautiful and it is timeless. It contains thewisdom of the ages. It is the first ever and themost understanding statement on environment.Let’s quote him –“…. We know that the White (elite)man does not understand our ways. One portionof land is the same to him as the next, for he is

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004a stranger who comes in the night and takesfrom the land whatever he needs. The earthis not his brother but his enemy, and when hehas conquered it, he moves on. He leaves hisfather’s graves behind, and he does not care”.“He kidnaps the earth, from hischildren. His father’s grave and his children’sbirthrights areforgotten. He treatshis mother, theearth, and hisbrother, the sky, asthings to be bought,plundered and soldlike sheep or brightheads. His appetitewill devour theearth and leavebehind only adesert……”.Topography:Vagamon is located on the western fringes ofIdukki district, bordering with Kottayam district.Vagamon, a relatively remote area in a sparselypopulated region comprising mostly of pristine,unspoilt and natural landscape of a diversenature and rich in endemic flora and fauna,falls within the Western Ghats, and has beenidentified as a biodiversity ‘hotspot’. This area,unique for grasslands with laterite soil type, hasan extent of 27.19 sq kms. Of this, 3147.012hectares are agricultural land, 346.65 hectaresare purambokku land and 108.48 hectares arewasteland, suitable for agriculture. Vagamonlies 1100 metres above sea level. Urbandevelopment in the area is generally low, withonly two census towns, two key tourist nodesand 115 villages. The climate is equitable,ranging from 32 degrees celsius in summer to16 degrees celsius in winter. With an averageannual rainfall of about 376 cms, Vagamon getsrain for about 200 days an year. The famousMEENACHIL river takes its origin from thisplace. It has atributary that is themain water sourcefor people ofT e e k o yPanchayath andfurther to thepeople of down hillsand lower plains ofKottayam district.Vagamon is alsoabode for two sectsof the indigenouspeople Kerala, Oorali and Ulladar. Theclosest town to Vagamon is Peerumedu, about25 kms away. Vagamon is about 140 kms awayfrom Munnar and 80 kms. away from Thekkady– the two major tourist destinations of Kerala.I. JANANEETHI INITIATES A FACTSFINDING STUDY:JANANEETHI, a Non-GovernmentOrganization, is a registered charity, under theprovisions of the Travancore-Cochin Literary,Scientific and Charitable Societies Act XII of1955, with Reg. No. 193/92 Thrissur. Startedin 1992 as a voluntary, non-political, nonsectarian,non-profit making and secularorganization, Jananeethi has been designed to59

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004be a corporate initiative for human rights.Jananeethi, during the past one decade of itsservices for the most vulnerable sections ofthe society, has concentrated on defending thecause of the victims of torture and injustice byempowerment, support, motivation andmobilization. Public Interest Litigation,Protection & Promotion of Human Rights,Gender Sensitization, EnvironmentalProtection, Campaign against castediscrimination and capital punishment,Elimination of all forms of torture, Consumerprotection, Legal Literacy and LegalCounseling, Suicide prevention, Para-legalTraining, Alternate Dispute Settlements are themajor activities of Jananeethi.Jananeethi is an accredited voluntaryorganization under the provisions of theNational and State Legal Services Authoritiesfor legal education and alternate disputesettlements. It provides its services by a)undertaking public interest advocacy, b)providing free legal consultancy, c) defendingthe rights of the most vulnerable sections ofthe society ie. Women, children, backwardcommunities, unorganized labour etc., d)organizing grass-root level workers likeMahila Samajams, Jananeethi Clubs etc. e)conducting legal awareness camps and trainingprogrammes, f) publishing Jananeethi monthlyjournal in vernacular, g) organizing publicdiscourses as part of programmes for socialchange, h) networking with local voluntarygroups and organizations, and i) monitoringpolice atrocities for a Torture-free State, j)organizing youth against crime, k) preventingsuicide by befriending and intervention60services, and l) providing care and support tovictims of HIV and AIDS.Jananeethi has taken up hundreds of commoncauses as petitions and has settled themamicably through its conflict resolution system.The first litigation-free village in the country(out of 5,75,000 villages in India) was theproduct of the hard labour and commitment ofJananeethi for freedom from litigation anddemocratisation of justice. Further, it has takento courts cases of custodial death, torture,offences against women, domestic violence,environmental degradation, violation ofconstitutional rights, corruption in public offices,labour disputes, offences against children andweaker sections for appropriate remedy.Jananeethi’s involvement in environmentalconcerns in the past has been proved beyonddoubt. Its contributions in the case of GracimIndustries at Mavoor and its pollution ofChaliyar river and the atmosphere, Protectionof Chalakudy river and the forests from theproposed Athirappilly hydel project, thedevastating destructions caused by the CocaCola factory at Plachimada and the relatedissues, the bio-medical waste disposal plant tobe set up at Thodupuzha and its consequentimpacts on the most fragile organic and humanconditions around, the brutalities on the tribalpeople of Muthanga in Wayanad district andmany other ecological and environmentalconcerns of Jananeethi at various places ofThrissur district are ample evidences ofJananeethi intervention in similar situations.The Board of Directors of Jananeethi resolved

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004to delegate a team of its members and friendswho are competent to go deep into the issuesof Vagamon Tourism Development projects.The team was constituted of the followingmembers:-Adv. George PulikuthiyilExecutive Director, Jananeethi & JananeethiInstitute.Dr. Francis Xavier Ph.D.Member, IUCN (World Conservation Union,Switzerland);Secretary, Jananeethi Institute.Dr. Gigi K. Joseph Ph.D.Wildlife Scientist, Kerala Forest Department,Thekkady.Dr. Jomy Augustin Ph.D.Scientist and Lecturer, St.Thomas College,Palai.Er. A.B. PrasadIT Officer, Jananeethi.Mr. Ajayakumar MelveettilVideo Unit, Jananeethi.Mr. K.K. SudevanTechnical Assistant, Jananeethi.The team was assisted by the members of theGandhi Yuva Mandalam and others, namely:-Dr. Hilda Seena, Mithra Nikethan,Vagamon.Mr. Eby EmmanuelMr. Sunny PaikadaAdvocate Georgekutty KadaplakalAdvocate Binoy MangamthanamMs. Susan Kottukappully andMr. Francis MathewThe team visited Vagamon on 13th and 14thof September 2003 and interviewed the localinhabitants of the place. They inspected variousstrategic centres of the region. They collectedsamples of water and soil from the spot forfurther examination in a laboratory. They wereable to identify dozens of rare varieties of plantsand insects that are endemic. They could alsoget into some of the mushrooming resortsdespite tough resistance from the staff understrict instructions of the management.The Human Rights Factor:The jurisprudence of human health and theConstitutional law of India take a holistic viewand insist on ecological justice andenvironmental protection, as a sine qua nonof the human rights for survival. There forethe lethal impact of ecological damage comewith in the scope of Constitutional protection.Article 51A(g) poses a social obligation onevery citizen and is mandatory on thepreservation of natural environment includingforests, lakes, rivers and wild life and ecologicalsensitivity is patently writ in the obligation toshow compassion for living creatures. Article48A is a command to the State in the samedirection.“In the name of tourism and recklessindustrialisation, our moral order, and ecoenvironmentalsystem suffer trauma. Woundednature will avenge the human future. Ournatural resources and wealth of bio-diversityare robbed. Our streams are polluted, our aircontaminated and our soil is a picture ofnoxiousness. ‘Development’ has become a61

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004dangerous word because every macro-sizeproject means corruption for the operators anddisplacement for vast human numbers” saysJustice Krishna Iyyer.In Vellore Citizen’s Welfare Forum V. TheUnion of India (AIR 1986 SC180) which isknown as Tennaries case the Supreme Courtobserved as “The Constitutional and statutoryprovisions protect a person’s right to fresh air,clean water and pollution-free environment, butthe source of the right is the inalienable commonlaw right of clean environment”. The Courtfurther observed, “Our legal system havingbeen founded on the British Common Law, theright of a person to pollution-free environmentis part of the basic jurisprudence of the land”.II. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS:1. Damage to the eco-system: Theimportance of Vagamon is its eco-system,its bio-diversity, its weather and its scenicbeauty. It is a National Heritage. Everycitizen of the country has a right to enjoy atall times. Any damage or infringementcaused will amount to violation of people’sright to enjoy their life.2. Blockage of streams and rivers: The resortsand other tourism players and also thosenew investors unscrupulously encroach andexploit water sources by constructing minordams blocking the flow of water in the riversand streams. The inhabitants of the downhillsand lower plains have their inalienablerights to have access to water that flows tothe rivers. Any attempt to restrain or62frustrate free flow of water in to the riverswill, therefore, be a human rights violationand violation of the forest and land rules.3. Lack of transparency and denial of the rightto know: The public of Kerala, moreespecially the people of Vagamon region,have every right to know the nature andextent of development and newentrepreneurships in their region. They alsohave the right to know the names of theinvestors, the total budget out-lay and theimpacts the new schemes are going to inviteon the environment and eco-systems. Thelocal bodies and the grama sabha of thearea have the right to approve or disapproveany such schemes. The people should beconversant with these facts so that theyshould be able to defend their rights. In thecase of Vagamon, the local people are keptin blissful ignorance and they are deniedtheir rights to know.4. Sons and daughtesr of the soil are beingdriven out: Large number of localinhabitants are forced / compelled to leavethe area as they have become “unfit” tothe new and emerging situations. The newinvestors buy their land and the escalatingcost of living becomes unaffordable to thelocal people. Further, the cultural shockconsequent to the increased inflow oftourists embarrass the local people who findtheir life insecure and unprotected. This ismore so as there are several instances ofsexual exploitation and sexual violence onthe local young women by the outsiders astourists.

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-20045. Threat to Idukki dam and threat to life ofthe people in Central Kerala: The Vagamonregion even before the Vagamon projectshas severe shortage of drinking water fromDecember to June. The presence of hugenumber of tourists and dozens of resortswill inevitably necessitate bore wells tomeet the water requirements. Vagamonbeing the catchment area of Idukki dam andtaking into account the earlier scientificreports on the land subsequent to the hugenumber of land slides in the area in 1991,bore wells should not be permitted at anycost as it is probable to cause earth quakes,land slides and draughts etc.6. Communal tension and social disharmony:The scope of financial gains and publicityacross the country and overseas, thereligious ‘investors’ are also very active andenthusiastic in the area, putting their bestefforts to give glamour and publicity toKurisumala hill top as ‘great pilgrim centre’.Besides, several shrines have sprouted atin few years time, though there are onlyfew believers around. This has provokedother religions also to awake and to hammerso that they too have their pilgrim centresin the region. The seed of hatred andunhealthy competition have already beenimplanted in Vagamon paving the way fora future riot or colossal carnage.7. Tourism pollutes the land, the minds and theculture: The damage already done onVagamon region by the tourists is veryalarming by the presence of tons of plasticin the land. Barrels of bottles brought in bypeople who come in large number to enjoyare crushed and spilt all over. The vehiclesrolled over and scaled the meadows anddisturbed the soil causing soil erosion fromthe top of the hills that will naturally fill thewater-logged joins of the hill valleys. Thisin effect will dry out the streams that feedthe Meenachil river, Manimalayar andPeriyar leading to deprivation of drinkingwater to thousands of people in the lowerplains.III. WE RECOMMEND AND WEPLEAD:1. Vagamon region should be declared aNational Heritage area and it should not bedisturbed by construction works, what soever.2. The Eco-system of the grasslands and thebio-diversity of the region should beprotected. There must be a VagamonProtection Council and half of the seatsmust be reserved for representatives oflocal inhabitants and the rest of the seats tobe shared by Government nominees, humanrights activists, voluntary organizations etc.3. Mass tourism in Vagamon region must bediscouraged. The area is not ideal for masstourism. The havoc created by mass tourismwill only destroy the whole eco-system ofthe region and its bio-diversity.4. Steams and water sources of the regionshould in no way be disturbed or blocked.The present encroachers of the watersources should be held liable for thedamage caused and civil wrongs committed.5. Religious shrines, monuments and pilgrim63

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004centres should not be encouraged in theregion and that religious communities shouldnot be permitted to put up religiousstructures on the road side or using commonspace.6. Use of plastics in the region should bebanned. Consumption of alcohol should notbe permitted in public places.7. Maintenance of law and order and guardingof social tranquillity should be ensured inthe region.8. Hotels and Rest houses in Peermade,Thekkady, Munnar, Erattupetta and Palaiwill provide enough accommodation for thetourists who would like to visit Vagamon.Transit to the region from these locations iswithin the reach. The terrain and the exoticeco-system of the region need not bedisturbed for construction works.IV. CONCLUSION:Perspectives of DevelopmentalContinuum: Referring to man’s right todevelopment, Charles Darwin says:-“It is interesting to contemplate an entangledbank, clothed with many plants of many kinds,with birds singing on the bushes, with variousinsects flitting about, and with worms crawlingthrough the damp earth, and to reflect that theseelaborately constructed forms, so different fromeach other, and dependent upon each other inso complex manner, have all been producedby laws acting around us”.The purpose of Development as the CocoyocDeclaration has emphasised, should not be todevelop things, but to develop every humanbeing. Nevertheless with few notableexceptions, development has been pragmatic,at the multiplication of and insatiable chase formaterial wealth.Development must be designed, even at thehumblest level, as a process of ensuring theadvancement of man/woman through his/herendeavours, says UNESCO. Developmentmust be aimed at the social, cultural, spiritual,and material advancement of the whole humanbeing, both as a member of society and fromthe point of view of individual fulfilment.In the case of Vagamon, the fundamental thesisof Development has greatly been distorted byperverted political and administrative minds andthe ultramodern predilections and sensualpursuits based on the misnomer of tourism thatdrugs our entire society64

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNEXURE 6FEEDBACKS: What do they say?a) Adv. Jasmine JosephWest Bengal National University ofJuridical SciencesSalt Lake City, West Bengal, India.It is almost a year since I left my role as a fulltime participant of Jananeethi’s activities andpresumes that this is the apt time to pen downcertain thoughts about an organization fromwhich you were away for an interlude. A crossthought passes my mind, that I never was distantfrom Jananeethi, though geographically itmakes sense. Somewhere a warning chimesrequiring me to be objective in this short reflectionas that was one of the basic principlesof alternate dispute settlement, whichJananeethi taught me. Though there is potentialfor a spectrum of analysis to Jananeethi’sexistence, I intend to view the past year ofJananeethi on two aspects, the stature of theorganization as a part of the society and itsmind of experimentation.The activities of Jananeethi always were rightsoriented and past witnesses this entitlementapproach. There is a range of activities throughwhich it accomplishes this philosophy. The interactionsof Jananeethi had been with peoplebelonging to all strata of society and the servicesit provide caters to the society as a wholeeither directly or indirectly. Be it the disputesettlement endeavour, out reach programmesor specialized programmes for themarginalized, the last year too shows a steadygrowth in its reach and diversity. This factorsurely justifies its life as a part of society, creatinga ‘rights culture’.When Jananeethi established the first litigationfree village of the Nation it was a morale boostingsuccess to its experimental endeavours. Thefact that the State Legal Services Authorityhas incorporated this concept as one of theiractivities was a fulfilling moment forJananeethi. Previous year it took up anotherproject, structuring a dream community thatcan lead life without fear. This radical conceptwas viewed skeptical and was thought by manythat success is beyond reach.Today it is provedthat Jananeethi knows its direction and hasenergy left to reach the destination, a fearlesssociety into the ‘freedom of which our countrywill awake.’ Tomorrow hopefully the spiritof this venture will inspire many and our Nationhave a value more to cherish and realize.There are certain relationships, which makeyou proud, and I proudly feel about my livinglink with Jananeethi. Salutes to all atJananeethi.65

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004b) Parvathy R. MenonVth year, B.A.B.L. (hons)NALSAR University of Law,Hyderabad.Being a student of NALSAR University ofLaw, Hyderabad, I was required to do a 6 weekinternship with an NGO of my choice as partof my 3 rd semester curriculum. I had workedearlier with People’s Council for Social Justice,Cochin, and subsequently have done internshipswith a New Delhi based law firm, inthe chambers of the Solicitor General of Indiaand with Hon’ble Justice Rejendra Babu in theSupreme Court of India. However, my workwith Jananeethi stands out as the most inspiring.I use the word ‘inspiring’ because the visionwith which the organization functions, thesincerity of its functionaries coupled with theirefficiency is something I have not been able tofind in any of my other, rather striking array ofinternships.While at Jananeethi, I was involved in organizinggender sensitisation workshops, legalawareness programs and in the day to day disputeresolution processes. From this experience,I observed the quite competency of thepeople at Jananeethi. But what was most noticeablewas the work ethic, the warm workenvironment and the brilliant camaraderie thatexisted there. In short, Jananeethi worked likea well-oiled machine, but with the warmth of ahappy home.The relationships I have built at Jananeethicontinue till today, and I hope will remain to doso always.66c) Sheena CherianBusiness Counsellor,IRFT, Mumbai.I worked with Jananeethi as an intern for twomonths as a part of my summer internship programat TISS. The internship program besidesbeing a very enriching experience (professionally)also gave me an opportunity to get to knowsome really valuable people who I would cherishand respect for the rest of my life.I was never treated as an intern and got acceptedas part of the Jananeethi family in notime. Together we worked on various issueslike legal literacy camps, conducting legalawareness classes in balwadis for mother andalso dealing with individual cases which requiredlegal assistance. However the highlightwas of course the study that I got to do on thecondition of home nurses in Kerala – a sociallegalstudy. I will always be indebted toJananeethi for having given me this opportunityto work on an issue like this. I even got anopportunity to participate in the world environmentday which was celebrated with greatgusto.The most striking aspect about the organisationis its ability maintain the spirit of oneness (preferto use this term instead of team spirit whichI feel is a very impersonal one!!!). The workculture therefore is one of the best becauseyou belong there and the organization belongsto you. The commitment of Jananeethi hasbeen proved more than once and its been inthe fore-front addressing issues of vital impor-

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004tance. Each member adhering to the principlesand ideals of the organization helps in takingthe message out into the world.I hope and pray that we (me still being a partof the family) will be able to keep the torchburning for years to come.d) Karine Bates B.C.L., LL.B.Ph.D. CandidateDepartment of AnthropologyMcGill University, MontrealCanada.Jananeethi is a unique example of people’s initiativeleading to a world where human dignityand social justice would be a reality. The holisticvision of the organization is realized througha variety of actions adapted the natural, socialand economic environment of the people inneed. By doing so, the dedicated social workers,lawyers, researchers and volunteers ofJananeethi propose and implement sustainablesolutions. Their commitment to the well beingof women, minorities and marginalized isremarquable. Throughout the years, they havefacilitated access to justice to hundreds ofpeople. That is due to a strong desire to balancelegal rights with social duties to create apeaceful society. As an anthropologist,Jananeethi is a reliable resource for educationon legal culture in Kerala and India. I reallylook forward to seeing the future projects ofJananeethi coming into the world, especiallythe development of Jananeethi’s Institute. I amglad to be a friend of this inspiring organization.e) Helen GouldCoordinator,Creative Exchange.London, UKWhat makes Jananeethi distinctive, I feel, isits passion for ordinary people to experiencejustice and well-being, and for the communitiesit serves to live in peace and cohesion. It’snot a great, heroic peace or a mighty justice,but a gentle, local peace brought about by simpletolerance, trust and respect for one another,which manifests itself in the remarkableachievement of a ‘litigation-free’ society insome of the districts it serves. But it is the verysimplicity of its vision makes its achievementsall the more powerful. Jananeethi applies itselfto finding solutions for its people and communitieswith courage, creativity and compassion:It has taken on some of the most powerfulinstitutions and won the case; It has goneout into the streets with song and drama toteach people about the law and their rights; ithas provided befriending, shelter, care and supportto those in need, in poor health or facingcrisis. Its passion for people is the ultimatemotivation for all it does. The values, wisdomand learning of Jananeethi deserve to be propagated,and the development of its new centrewill offer Jananeethi just such an opportunityto teach and share its experience more widely.67

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004f) Bijo FrancisAsian Human Rights CommisionHong Kong.Small leaps to greater successIt is with the nostalgic feeling of missing myhometown I write this short note aboutJananeethi. The Jananeethi family hasachieved another milestone in its path of successtowards addressing human rights situationin India by declaring Mullakkara - DivisionXII of Thrissur Corporation - as the FIRSTLEGALLY LITERATE & LITIGATIONFREE village in the State of Kerala.Legal awareness and freedom from the everwinding judicial process is the primary requisitefor a just society. When everything failspeople look up to the courts for addressing theirproblems and grievances. However the factas far as India is concerned is that legal processis a non ending relay from pillar to postand in the process the victim falls down andfinally gets no remedy at all.The initiative taken by Jananeethi to help thepeople in Mullakkara, from its lessons learnedfrom a previous experiment at Thichoor is anoble step towards addressing the very rootcause of human rights problems in India. Whenthe entire institution fails, where the executiveis corrupt and ignorant about the concerns ofthe people, when the legislative is more engagedin power games rather than serving the68ordinary, when the police is a tool for persecutionand further torture and judiciary gives itsseal of approval by its lethargic attitude andcomplexities, such bold steps taken byJananeethi could pave way for effective remediesof human rights violations in India, bybeing able to replicate this endeavor in yet anothervillage.Harmony in the society and awareness ofone’s right is the key to sustainability and stabilityof any society. Jananeethi’s work in declaringyet another village as litigation free andlegally aware is a milestone in this process.I am aware that the work of Jananeethi is notlimitted to this project. I am aware that theproject in Mullakkara is just one of the manyactivities done by Jananeethi in addressinghuman rights in India. The success inMullakkara reflects the hard work and commitmentof the entire Jananeethi family. I amonly happy to be part of it, even though I haveto stay away miles apart in distance due to mywork. I look forward for the days I can joinback my family and be more active in its dayto day life.g) SatheeshParamel HouseMullakkara, Mannuthy, ThrissurMy association with Jananeethi is only a recentone. Before that, I had attempted to dogood to the people getting myself involved inseveral groups. But I could not make any impact.All my endeavours were in vain. The

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004response I received from many public officeswere apparently negative. Nevertheless, whenI joined Jananeethi and started of acting underthe banner of Jananeethi, I could experiencethe change. It was amazing, indeed!.FEED BACK-CASESa) P.V. Ravi(File No. 64/04)Polukkara HouseNadathara, Thrissur.My father had taken a loan from the Bank ofBaroda. As a security, my father had given tothe Bank the documents (Pattayam) of the landproperty in his name. Subsequently, when wewent over to the bank to settle the loan amount,to our greatest shock and dismay, we wereinformed that the documents were missing inthe bank. We didn’t know what to do next.We approached Jananeethi. Jananeethidrafted a petition to be submitted before thebanking Ombudsman. On their advice, welodged a complaint and prayer for duplicate ofthe original document at the cost of the Bank.The Banking Ombudsman ordered allowing ourpetition as it was prayed for. The bank wasordered to make proper application to the villageofficer for a duplicate of the original documentand to pay the incidental expenses andto expedite the matter.b) T.V. Chacko(File No. 150/03)I am happy to inform every memberof Jananeethi that now my life, with allyour help, is safe and undisturbed. I was, for along time, harassed and often hurt by a personfor no reasons. I am physically disabled andeconomically poor. I was not able to counterthe attacks of the opposite party. It wasJananeethi that came to my rescue. With yourletter I approached the police who acted uponyour directions. They summoned the party andwarned him. Ever since I have not problem.Thanks to everybody in Jananeethi for yourappropriate action at the appropriate time.c) O.V. Sarojini(File No. 204/04)SanthikudiVadookara, Thrissur.I am old and destitute. I am continuouslyharassed by my neighbour. He hasfiled civil suit against me. Hence, for fear oflife I had to leave my house and my nativevillage and went to Alappuzha. There I metAdv. Rajasree who told me about Jananeethiand its humanitarian services. This was thebackground of my relationship with Jananeethi.Later, my relationship with Jananeethi developedmuch more than a lawyer – client relationship.Today I consider myself a memberof Jananeethi family. I get the warmth and69

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004love of a family from Jananeethi. I am confidentthat Jananeethi will remain as my ‘home’for the rest of my life. I consider the lawyersand activists of Jananeethi as my children; andthey treat me like their ‘grandma’. I wish thatthere are many similar institutions to carry themessage of love and care, and that Jananeethiis branched out all over extending to all peopleits warmth of love and care.d) Devassy Ukken(File No. 195/03)KunnathangadiThrissur.My sister’s husband, Mathew, had distancedhimself from his wife and they were livingseparated for more than 13 years. Desertedand disowned by husband, my sister was livingwith me during these years. Meanwhilethere were several attempts to mend their relationshipbut all were proved failure.Finally we approached the Thrissur based humanrights NGO, Jananeethi. Because ofJananeethi’s intervention, Mathew came to myhouse and took his wife along with him to Erode,where he is employed. Now, both of themlead a very happy life in a rented house. Theirmarriage was a closed chapter, but Jananeethiopened it and has helped them to rebuild a newlife, accepting each other.We all thank every member of Jananeethi forthe great service they have done to Mathewand Lucy, and all of us who are concerned ofthem.e) C.K.Kumari (Wife) &Dasan K.M. (Husband)Q: When did you first come to Jananeethi?A: 2004 February 6Q: How did you come to know of Jananeethi?A: Fr. Davis Panadan directed me to approachJananeethiQ: What was your complaint?A: My husband was alcoholic. He used to beatme a lot. Once he kicked me out of thehouse. I had no where to go.Q: What was your first impression atJananeethi?A: I could pour out my feelings. I felt greatrelief. Some how, I felt that my days ofsuffering are over. I was very glad whenI was told that the services are completelyfree.Q: How was the behaviour of the people atJananeethi?A: Very good. The advocates behaved verylovingly and with great regard. I felt quiteat home. They treated me as if I am theirfriend. There was no fear in me. ThereforeI could open out my heart beforethem.Q: Did anything displease you?A: No. Not at all. I have no suggestions tomake Everything was perfect.70

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Q: What is your present condition?A: My problems are resolved. My husbanddoes not beat me. He has stopped hisdrinking habit. He brings his wages home.He is very kind, loving and faithful to God.We recently purchased a plot and put up asmall house.Q: How long you had come to Jananeethi toresolve your problems?A: Less than a month.Q: How did Jananeethi sort out the problem?A: Through negotiations and counseling. Theadvocates had promised me all possiblehelp. They warned my husband about thedire consequences if he continued beatingme.Q: Are you out of fear now?A: Yes. I have great confidence in myself. Igot courage to come to Jananeethi.Q: Did you feel that Jananeethi was biased?A: No. Myself and my husband do not haveany complaint against Jananeethi.Q: Any other comment about Jananeethi?A: People from interior villages find it difficultto come to Thrissur. Each Talukshould have an institution like Jananeethi.Q: What do you know about Jananeethi?A: Settlement of dispute through peacefulnegotiations. I do not know any thing more.Q: How does this affect your vision of life?A: I am prepared to support all causes ofJananeethi. I will try to speak to all in needabout Jananeethi and will direct them toJananeethi.71

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNEXURE 7REPORT ON VISIT TO SRI LANKAA visit to Sri Lanka in the last week of May2003 was a memorable experience. The islandlooked an extension of Kerala in everyrespect. The land, the vegetations, the people,their food habits, their habitats, their life-style– all are very much similar to the Malayaleeethos.We were invited by the human rights organizationssuch as SETIK (Kandy)‘Janasansadaya’ (Colombo) and Panadura thatare addressing human rights violations in theisland country. Thanks to Mr. Basil Fernandoand his companions of the Asian Human RightsCommission, Hong Kong for sponsoring ourtrip.The principal religion in Sri Lanka is Buddhism.Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are also in themain stream. Religion, therefore, has a majorrole in shaping the fate of the people; protectingand promoting human rights in Sri Lanka.Our hosts included Rev. Reid, Rev. NandanaManatunga and Mr. Chitral Perera who arestallions of great movements of people, predominantlyvictims and survivors of torture andpolitical terrorism.72Our visit was an occasion for exchange of vision,views and experience. The organizers hadwell planned in advance few common gatheringsof people who are deeply involved in defendinghuman rights. Their understanding ofhuman rights is very comprehensive and holistic.‘Human rights’ for them means life in totality.Hence ethnic war, political corruption,religions persecution, labour exploitation, sexualdiscrimination, environment degradation - allcomes under the ambit of human rights. Therefore,you will see all sections of people, includingreligions heads and spiritual leaders, arrayingin a single line for the vindication of humanrights and civil liberties of the people.Public memory is short lived. Human frailtywill demand compromises. Hence to endurein resisting torture and human rights violations,people need mutual emotional support andphysical help. This is what our Sri Lankanfriends are engaged in. They have gatheringsof the victims of torture on regular intervalsand such meetings are occasions to re-inforcethem in their organized resistance to corruptionand torture.The first public meeting we attended was ananti-war peace convention in Polonnaruva anancient centre of cultural excellence in the up

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004country. A well organized, attended by thousandsof peace loving people representing variousreligious faiths, political ideologies groupsand democratic organisations. The views andvoices raised against the neo colonial powersand managers of war and violence were strongmessages to whom so ever they were aimedat.The World Communications Day was observedin Kuliapidia. Seminar, drama and several folkpresentations made the function rich and meaningful.The theme was, again, fighting tortureand corruption in highest offices including judiciary.Folk artists were called for employingtheir skill and space to check human rights violations.Janasansadaya organized a meeting of torturevictims and their families at the conference hallof Kaluthra District Secretariat and it had leftlasting impressions in our minds. The meetinghad triggered their morale and will power. We,too, spoke recalling our experiences in the pastand the present as well.A special meeting was organized for creativethinkers and writers where issues of contemporaryculture, the threat of globalization, politicalpower, colonial values, consumerism etc.were brought in for serious deliberations.With Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando, we visited theSri Lankan Supreme Court to observe the functioningof the human rights court. We witnessedthere the unfailing spirit of the ordinarycitizen of the island in defending their fundamentalrights and their right to freedom fromfear and torture.The image and message of Fr. Reid, his peopleand their work culture are vibrant memories.They live and they help others live enjoyingfreedom in its full. The Central point of alltheir programmes and deliberations is torture,because torture is so much rampant in theirevery day life. The principle that whateverhuman is not alien to a human rights activist isan accepted position by all.The experience of meeting these magnificentpersonalities and dedicated defenders of humanrights, building fraternity and fellowshipwith them was, indeed unique.K.G.Sankara PillaiJasmine Joseph73

ANNEXURE 8JANANEETHI IN SPAN MAGAZINE74

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004ANNEXURE 9Interventions made by Jananeethi in 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender1. 141/03 Thechan master P.D.KurichikaraSreera Flower Mill, Kurichikara Environment Pending Male762. 142/03 Sreepathy KaryadKundaliyoor P.O.3. 143/03 KalyaniPallath House, Nandikara4. 144/03 Lissy P.L.Avanoor P.O.5. 145/03 Shobha DennyWest Fort Hospital, Trichur6. 146/03 Shanto P.A.Avinnisery7. 147/03 Radhamani K.K.Peringottukara8. 148/03 Ramakrishnan R.Puranattukara9. 149/03 Sumathy. CMannuthy10. 150/03 Chacko T.V.Ponnukara11. 151/03 Joy N.A.Nandipulam12. 152/03 SarojiniNedupuzha13. 153/03 Kumari C.N.Mundathikode West14. 153-A/03 GigiVeluthoor15. 154/03 Mary K.K.Guruvayoor16. 155/03 Shaju C.P.ThrikoorSanthoshkumar S. NairHome Tech AppliancesKoorkencherrySidharthanPallath House, NandikaraDavis ThaikkatilAvanoor P.O.Denny V.V.PootholeSecretaryThrissur Corp. Thrissur.R.T.O.ThrissurD.T.O.KSRTC, ThirssurK.BalanVyasagiriBabuPonnukaraPraful InvestmentChennaiThe Nedupuzha Service CooperativeBank Ltd. NedupuzhaKrishnankuttyMundathikode WestBennyVeluthoorFrancis K.K.GuruvayoorJustin ThomasPonnukaraService Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Closed MaleMiscellanious Pending FemaleConsumer Pending maleFamily Closed FemaleCriminal Closed maleConsumer Closed maleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Pending FemaleCriminal Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed Male

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender17. 156/03 Fathimath SuharaCherukara18. 157/03 SaraswathyVadakemuri19. 158/03 Mohanan P.K.Anthikkadu20. 159/03 Shantha K.K.Nedupuzha21. 160/03 GeethaArattupuzha22. 161/03 Raman NambidiVeluthur23. 162/03 Mani SwamikuttyKundaliyoor24. 163/0 Joshy T.A.Koonammoochi25. 164/03 Preethi K.S.Perinchery26. 165/03 Baby RajanKurichikara27. 166/03 Baby LathaEngandiyoor28. 167/03 Pradeepkumar. RR.P.1001, Viyoor29. 168/03 Madhavan P.RPampadi30. 169/03 Noorjahan E.A.Padiyam31. 170/03 Mini E.J.Kandasankadavu32. 171/03 Dr. Francis XavierR.V.Puram33. 172/03 Vijayakumari. MThavanoorSunilPerinthalmanaKumaranVadakemuriChandran P.K.NedupuzhaJose ChittiseryNedupuzhaUrakam ServiceCo-op. Bank, UrakamUnnikrishnanVeluthurSajeevKundaliyoorLewisKoonammoochiSubramaniam P.M.PerincherySheelaKurichikaraSasidharan E.K.EngandiyoorT. Aravindakshan NairPampadiC.S. Abdul JaleelInchamudiJaisonValappadJohns BiwheelersAyyantholeT.S. MuraliVellanikaraFamily Closed FemaleCriminal Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleFamily Closed MaleCriminal Pending FemaleMiscellanious Pending MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleMiscellaneious Closed MaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleConsumer Pending MaleFamily Pending Female77

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender34. 173/03 Joseph N.A.Ollur35. 174/03 Usha K.A.Manaloor36. 175/03 Baby V.B.Karamukku37. 176/03 Anto FrancisElthuruth38. `177/03 Balasundaram. KViyyur39. 178/03 Nazeema BasheerKalathode40. 179/03 Farmers ClubPerambra41. 180/03 Antony M.R.Poothole42. 181/03 Leela T.K.Kanattukara43. 182/03 Liny K.L.Thiroor44. 183/03 Sheeba A.O.Ollur45. 184/03 Binesh V.C.Venkidangu46. 185/03 PonnuArimbur47. 186/03 JananeethiThrissurB.R.D. Securities Ltd.KunnamkulamBharghaviManaloorDevassyKaramukkuJesssyElthuruthR.T.O.ThrissurVasalaAvannurPushpakaranPerambaraRenjith JamesKocharaSudheer P.D.AlaparaMary VargheseThiroorJobelMapranamPrathibha V.V.ArimboorKumaranArimburDirector of HealthService, ThiruvananthapuramConsumer Closed MaleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleMiscellaneous Closed MaleCivil Pending FemaleCriminal Closed FemaleFamily Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemalePIL Closed -7848. 187/03 ThulasiKandasankadavu49. 188/03 Lissy P.D.Pattikkad50. 189/03 Liji K.S.VenkitanguAjith. CKandasankadavuThe SecretaryAlathur Grama PanchayatBinu K.G.MananthavadiCivil Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Pending Female

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender51. 190/03 ShivaramanKaryamuttam52. 191/03 BhavaniOllukkara53. 192/03 S.P. SrivastavaBihar54. 193/03 Bhargavan T.K.Kandasankadavu55. 194/03 GracyKuriachira56. 195/03 Lucy MathewVelathur57. 196/03 Sajini SubramanianMullassery58. 197/03 PurushothamanMullassery59. 198/03 Leela SunnyOllur60. 199/03 Thankachan V.M.Kannara61. 200/03 Jayanthi C.V.Chirakkal62. 201/03 M. SaraswathyThrissur.63. 202/03 Gopi V.V.UrakamDivin. DPullurParukuttyKoorkkancheryMahesh PrasadHazari BaghPost MasterThrissurLonaKuriachiraMathew C.P.ErodeThankamaniVenkidanguBadharuddinMullasseryHead MistressGovt. U.P.S., OllurExe. EngineerPWD, Thrissur.AnilChirakkalT.T. ThomasThrissur- 20Vinitha K.K>UrakamFamily Closed MaleCivil Pending FemaleCivil Closed MaleConsumer Closed MaleCriminal Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Pending MaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleFamily Closed Male64. 203/03 Helen K.J.Thrisur Engineering College,Thrissur.John M.M.Thrissur,Engg. Collee P.O>Civil Closed Female.65. 204/03 Sarojini D.V.Vadookara66. 205/03 Prasad K.P.Chittisery67. 206/03 JasmineChentrappinnyLakshmiChiyyaramKerala UniversityThiruvananthapuramA.K. Abdul JaleelChooloor P.O.Civil Pending FemaleMiscellaneous Closed MaleFamily Closed Female79

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender8068. 207/03 Thomas P.M.Thannimoodu69. 208/03 Babu K. MathewAshtamichira70. 209/03 PushpakaranMammiyoor71. 210/03 Unnikrishnan C.A.Irinjalakuda North72. 211/03 Pushpakaran P.M.Mammiyoor73. 212/03 JananeethiThrissur.74. 213/03 Jasmine JosephJananeethi75. 214/03 Dileep KumarMuttichoor76. 215/03 Mary MathaiChalakudy77. 216/03 AnithaSelam78. 217/03 RanginiAnchery79. 218/03 Sathish MenonPazhayannoor80. 219/03 Thankamani VargheseChiyyaram81. 220/03 Karthiyayini P.A.Chakkamkandam P.O.82. 221/03 Haneefa T.A.Ollukkara P.O.83. 222/03 LathifaAanappara84. 223/03 AugusthiRamavarmapuramSukumaran M.P.ThannimooduIndian EmbassyAbudhabiRamanathanThamarayoorRenuka UnnikrishnanIrinjalakuda NorthP.K. VijayanKunnamkulamR.T.O.Thrissur.R.T.O.Thrissur.Malathy PaxmananMuttichoorDevanKokkalaiAlexMission QuartersVijayan MenonKuruppam RoadNarayanankuttyPazhayannurChiyyaram KuriesChiyyaramV.A. VasuChenthrapinnyKerala Water AuthorityOllukkaraV. BashirOttapalamSimonAyyantholeCivil Closed MaleMiscellaneous Pending MaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed MaleCivil Closed MalePIL Closed -PIL Closed -Family Closed FemaleService Closed FemaleCriminal Closed FemaleCriminal Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Pending MaleConsumer Pending MaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed Male

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender85. 224/03 NeelinaOlarikkara86. 225/03 Sheeja N.V.Vadanapally87. 226/03 Ramankutty. VKacheri88. 227/03 Ruby David AnilMannuthyE.J.JoshiPalakkalUdayan. STarithallurShaju. SKacheryPlamennaMannuthyCriminal Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleCivil Closed Female89. 228/03 Sosamma K.M.KozhikunnuMathew Thampi Family Referred Female90. 229/03 Satheesh KumarKangod91. 230/03 MuhammadKaipamangalam92. 231/03 Amina P.M.Anthikkad93. 232/03 SadanandanNedupuzha94. 233/03 JosePeringottukara95. 234/03 Mini V.M.Vellanikkodu96. 235/03 Bindu K.N.Peringottukara97. 236/03 Latha P.M.Kathilapuram P.O.98. 237/03 George PuikuthiyilJananeethi99. 238/03 SubramaniyanChelakkaraLijithaOlavakkodDy. TahasildarKodungallurUsmanAnthikkadSunithaNedupuzhaBennyValappadJagadeesan. PNorth ParavurSajith K.S.PeringottukaraShaji C.V.GuruvayoorThekkans HotelChalakudyMadhuVennurFamily Closed MaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Pending MaleFamily Closed MaleFamily Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleConsumer Closed MaleCivil Pending Male100. 239/03 Samuel K.C.MannamangalamUniversity of Madras Consumer Pending Male101. 240/03 David C.V.ParavattaniGeneral ManagerSIB, Thrissur.Service Pending Male81

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender102. 241/03 David JacobPeringavu103. 242/03 Mary PouloseMandamangalam104. 243/03 Shiny K.V.Irinjalakuda105. 244/03 Surekha KKuthampully P.O.106. 245/03 Laisa ChakkappanNehru Nagar107. 246/03 Sheeba JaisonIrinjalakuda108. 247/03 Suja AneeshOllurP.W.D.Dist. CollectorPoulose P.T.MandamangalamPrakash A.M.IrinjalakudaKrishnakumarKuthampulli P.O.Chakkappan K.T.OllurJaison K.J.IrinjalakudaSudeesa M.T.OllurCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed Female109. 248/03 Johny VargheseThiruvillamalaService Co-op. Bank Civil Closed Male110. 249/03 Vasudevan C.R.Chelakkode111. 250/03 Jose. SPattikkad112. 251/03 Jessy JosephAranattukara113. 252/03 Devadas K.K.Mannuthy114. 253/03 Soman K.N.Kundukad115. 254/03 Prassanna V.K.Kuriachira116. 255/03 Johny T.J.Kandanchira117. 256/03 Antony C.J.Kottapady118. 257/03 Gracy P.R.Kuriachira82C.R. BalakirhsnanChelakkodeSamuel E.I.MadakkatharaM.P. RossyOllurRenjith E.R.MulayamSunagog KuriesPunnamparambuAnthas M.C.KuriachiraKerala State Housing Board,AyyantholeRosmy AntonyKottapadiMohan E.S.KuriachiraCivil Closed MaleFamily Pending MaleCivil Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Closed Female

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender119. 258/03 Pavithran V.R.Chenthrapinni120. 259/03 Kalyani M.K.Puthur121. 260/03 Baby V.V.Kandasankadavu122. 261/03 Haseena C.S.Kannamkulangara123. 262/03 Satheesan V.K.Nellai124. 263/03 Jasmine JosephThrissur125. 264/03 Ravindran P.N.Koorkenchery126. 265/03 Paulson N.O.Anandhapuram127. 266/03 ValsammaChalakudy127. 267/03 Hemalatha BalachandranChenganoor128. 268/03 Alphonsa V.O.Mannuthy129. 269/03 Raji. KChavakkad130. 270/03 Rural Development WomenSocietyEdathuruthy131. 271/03 Augustine P.J.Medical CollegeQuarters, TCR132. 272/03 Ramya RaviAnakallu133. 273/03 Suresh M.K.Ayyanthole134. 274/03 Philomina P.P.Mulayam RoadJayaprakasanChenthrapinniShankunniPuthurSpecial ThahasildarUnit No. 2. ThrissurFathimaThavanurBindhuKodaliS.I. of PoliceTraffic Police StationThrissurNational Insurance Co.Ltd.ThrissurAbraham AshokNeyyattinkaraJohn ChackoKottayamThankamaniChenganoorOllukara Service Co-op,Bank, MannuthySasidaran P.AnnakaraTony T.A.ThrissurAdiministrative OfficerMedical CollegeThrissurDirectorHigher Secondary Education,TVM.Gopi M.K.AyyantholePorinchuNellikunnuCivil Pending MaleCivil Closes FemaleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleFamily Pending FemaleMiscellaneous Pending FemaleConsumer Pending MaleConsumer Closed MaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCriminal Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleMiscellaneous Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleCivil Closed Female83

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender135. 275/03 Chandrika SudinanAnchery136. 276/03 Philomina C.C.Ollukara137. 277/03 Kuttan. KPerunthuruthi138. 278/03 Sathyabhama V.S.GuruvayoorK.RadhamaVadakkancheriTaj Exports & ImportsAncheri ChiraK. ThankamKannipayyurPrabinParappoorCivil Pending FemaleService Closed FemaleCivil Pending MaleFamil Closed Female139. 279/03 Srivallabhan .MMannuthy140. 280/03 Faritha AnsariKalathodeOriental Insurance Co. Ltd. Consumer Closed MaleSecretary, TCR Corporation, TCR Miscellaneous Closed Female141. 281/03 Prince C.O.Vellarkad142. 282/03 Varghese P.L.PoomalaPaulson T.V.NellangaraBenedict P.V.PoomalaCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed Male143. 283/03 JojuKuriachiraReliance, Thrissur Consumer Closed Male144. 284/03 Venu T.R.Thoyyakavu145. 285/03 T.A. AntonyPuzhakkal146. 286/03 Sarasu T.S.Kalloor147. 287/03 Annie ThomasPullazhi148. 288/03 KarthiyaniKannaraSathyanathanR.V. PuramThe PresidentIndian Banks Ass.MumbaiSub Inspector of PolicePudukkadGopanPullootAntoKannaraCivil Pending MaleService Pending MaleCriminal Pending MaleCivil Pending FemaleCriminal Pending Female149. 289/03 pseudonym ThilakanPoochittiFamily Pending -150. 290/03 Skaria O.P.Chavarampadam151. 291/03 KunhikuttanKootala84George MathaiChavarampadamShajuOllukaraCivil Pending MaleCivil Closed Male

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender152. 292/03 Varghese K.D.Mankavu153. 293/03 Prasad A.S.M.G. Kavu154. 294/03 Pushpalatha . KPanjal155. 295/03 Sini M.V.ThaloorAsst. EngineerK.S.E.B. WadakkancheryBus ConductorH.L. TravelsMohanan V.K.PeringottukurissiSecretaryPareeksha Bhavan, TVMConsumer Closed MaleMiscellaneous Pending MaleFamily Closed FemaleMiscellaneous Closed Female156. 296/03 Alphonsa RosanKannaraKunjkunju Criminal Pending Female157. 297/03 Bindu V.P.KodannurSurendran C.M.KodannurFamily Pending Female158 298/03 Sheena InasuThaloreMery Criminal Closed Female159 299/03 AnilkumarMannuthy160 300/03 Joy N.V.Kozhupillikkara161 301/03 Prema C.K.Anchery162. 302/03 MuraleedharanLaloor163 303/03 ChandranPaluvai164 304/03 Thulasi T.V.Panjal165 305/03 SubhaPeringandoor166 306/03 Muralidharan M.D.Anthikkad.167 307/03 Ambika. K.Valmutti168 308/03 HariPuthurKuttappan V.K.MannuthySujathaKizhakkekottaExcise CommissionerThrissurFair Kuries LtdThrissurSankaranPaluvaiICDSThrissurAnilkumar. CMadrasSajeevan K.G.EngandiyoorGanesanChitoorSudheenaOlariCivil Closed FemaleFamily Closed MaleCriminal Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleCriminal Closed FemaleService Closed FemaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed MaleCriminal Closed FemaleFamily Pending Female85

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender169 309/03 UshaAyyanthole170 310/03 Varghese P.O.Methala171 311/93 Sasikumar P.N.Vennur172 312/03 AmmukuttyThirurMuraliAyyantholeExecutive EnggineerIrinjalakudaJyothiPalakkadKunjiramanAncheryCivil Pending FemaleConsumer Closed MaleFamily Pending MaleCivil Pending Female173 313/03 Bhasheer M.T.UAE174 314/03 Shameer K.P.Central Jail, Viyyur- `Miscellaneous Closed MaleState Criminal Closed Male175 315/03 Geetha SureshChelakkara176 316/03 Sujatha KumaryThiruvalla177 317/03 Govandan T.S.KalloorJayakrishnanMannuthyRadhakrishnan. GThiruvallaSajeevan T.G.AmballurCivil Pending FemaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed Male178 318/03 Sandeep M.K.PallippuramManikandan Civil Closed Male179 319/03 Leela ThomasKasargode180 320/03 Sandhya E.K.Kolazhy181 321/03 Manoj E.G.Ollur182 322/03 Subair HassanPalghat183 323/03 Usha DavidKunnamkulam184 324/03 Priya AntoKelengathukaraThomasKasargode (D)UnnikrishnanMannarkkaduGopi EdaykkattilOllurLailaVaniambaraDavid Raj P.J.KunnamkulamC.A. AravindakshanKainoorFamily Closed FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleFamily Closed MaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending Female185 325/03 Ramani P.K.Ramavarmapuram86Suresh K.K. Family Pending Female

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender186 326/03 ElsyPeringavu187 327/03 Ushakumari K.V.Chiyyaram188 01/04 Latha C.M.Kuttumukku189 02/04 Baby T.O.Elinjipra190 03/04 Muhammad T.C.Mannuthy191 04/04 Davis P.K.KootalaNarayanankuttyPeringavuKamalamChiyyaramManojPearl Regency HotelLonappanChalakudyS.I. of PoliceMannuthyWater AuthorityThrissurCivil Closed FemaleCivil Pending FemaleService Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleCriminal Pending MaleConsumer Closed Male192 05/04 Joseph M.O.Mannuthy P.O.193 06/04 Janardhanan J.C.No.2775, ViyyurState Civil Pending MaleState Miscellaneous Pending Male194 07/04 Baby K.B.West Mangad195 08/04 Ramachandran. BMannuthy196 09/04 NarayanankuttyThrikoor197 10/04 Thulasi T.V.Panjal198 11/04 DinniKolazhi199 12/04 Fathima P.A.Kizhekemuri200 13/04 Sujatha K.N.Koratty South201 14/04 Davis K.P.ChiyyaramBhaskaranWest MangadSubaidhaMannuthyVilasiniKoovapadiThe Secretary, Social Welfare,Mahila Samajam KillimangalamShanmughanM.G. KavuBabu SalimThanniyamChinnan M.K.AlagappanagarChiyyaram Kuries And Loans(Pvt) Ltd, Chiyyaram, ThrissurFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleFamily Pending MaleService Pending FemaleCriminal Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending FemaleCivil Closed Male202 15/04 Mohanan P.S.WadakkancheryKeram Chits & LoansGuruvayoorCivil Closed Male87

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender203 16/04 Ajithakumari T.K.Kodungallore204 17/04 AmmuMullakkara205 18/04 RejithaAnthikaduIshabiMathilakamLakshmiMullakaraRamadevanAnthikaduCivil Pending FemaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Closed Female206 19/04 Pseudomym Anto HotelMulayam RoadMiscellaneous Closed Male207 20/04 UmmerThottapadiSupply Officer, TCR Miscellaneous Pending Male208 21/04 NafeezaMannuthy209 22/04 JoseKannara210 23/04 Moly WilsonMannuthy211 24/04 Elsy M.D.Vettukadu212 25/04 Sheeja M.C.Muttithadi213 26/04 Bhasheer A.A.Thalikulam214 27/04 Alice K.J.Valarkavu215 28/04 ManoharanPunnayoorkulam216 29/04 SaleenaMulayam RoadSainabhaMannuthyAlphonsa. AThaikkattusseryWater AuthorityThrissurJohnson K.O.OllurAith T.K.KottapadiB.S.N.L.ThrissurAntony P.A.ThrissurSunilkumarMalapuramOllukara Co-operative BankMannuthyMiscellaneous Pending FemaleFamily Pending MaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Pending FemaleConsumer Pending MaleFamily Pending FemaleCriminal Pending MaleCivil Pending Female217 30/04 Win Purusha GanamKalikkalSatheesh K.V.KalikkalCivilPending218 31/04 Chandrika P.G.Moorkanikara219 32/04 Padmini M.Kuttipuram88Punjab National BankThrissurS.I. Of PoliceChakkarakalluCivil Pending FemaleCriminal Pending Female

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender220 33/04 Annie K.T.Thekke Anchery221 34/04 Paul AntonyMannarkadu222 35/04 Jayarajan A.V.Chelakottukara223 36/04 Kumari C.K.Perambra224 37/05 Srikanth K.K.KodungallurSeby VargheseThekke AncheriAnnakutty V.TAzhakamThe Thrissur Dist. P&TEmp.Co-Op Society Ltd. TCRDasan .K.M.TrikkurKrishnankuttyKodungallurCriminal Closed FemaleFamily Pending MaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Pending Male225 38/04 Harish P.G.PeramangalamDirector of Technical Education Miscellenious Closed Male226 39/04 Sooraj K.T.Puthukkad227 40/04 Rathi ManianPandiparambu228 41/04 SivadasanKainoor229 42/04 SrinagarColony ResidentsVettikkal230 43/04 Menon V.A.Irinjalakuda231 44/04 Betsy SadanandanMulamkunnathukavu232 45/04 OmanaKozhukully233 46/04 SandhyaPazhuvil234 47/04 Anitha VasudevanMannuthy235 48/04 GandadharanPeringottukara236 49/04 Sathi V.B.NattikaThomas T.A.KodakaraJose JohnPandiparambuKLD Board11 Pig Breeding FarmAsst. Exe. EngineerMannuthyKSHBIrinjalakudaPrakashanThirurP.J. RappaiKozhukkullyAnoopVatanappillyKochappanMannuthySushamaThalikulamAdramanNattikaFamily Pending MaleCivil Pending FemaleMiscellaneous Closed MaleCivil Pending Male/FemaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Pending MaleCivil Closed Female89

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender237 50/04 Satheesh P.B.Mannuthy238 51/04 ThomasKoottala239 52/04 Raju K.J.Peringottukara240 53/04 DevassyElinjipra241 54/04 Rani AntoNettissery242 55/04 DivyaRamavarmapuram243 56/04 Sarath RajPeringavu244 57/04 Soumya T.D.Ollur245 58/04 Thomas P.D.Mullakkara246 59/04 Alphonsa A.O.Koratty247 60/04 AswathyVemballur248 61/04 Kesavan P.K.PadiyamSI of PoliceMannuthyBabyKoottalaElya P.J.ThrissurLisy JosephNilamburGeorge C.P.OlarikkaraDhanyaRamavarmapuramRadhakrishnanPatturaikkalVarghese U.A.ManakodyManiMullakkaraVarghese A.K.ChalakudyShajilalChenthrappinniKuttan M.A.PadiyamMiscellaneous Pending MaleMiscellaneous Closed MaleFamily Closed MaleCivil Closed MaleFamily Closed FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending Male249 62/04 Gopalakrishnan Manager, SBTParamekkavu, TCRConsumer Pending Male250 63/04 Sarojini. CPalakkad251 64/04 Ravi P.V.Nadathara252 65/04 Residents of DamianJunction, Mullakkara253 66/04 IndraniThrissur90DirectorGr. P.F.New DelhiManagerBank of Baroda, ThrissurOfficer in ChargeWater Authority, TrichurVisalakshi AmmaThrissurService Pending FemaleConsumer Pending MaleConsumer Pending Male/FemaleRent/Civil Pending Female

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender254 67/04 Antony C.D.Thalore255 68/04 Elsy SebastianAvanoor256 69/04 ThankamaniMannuthy257 70/04 Thomas E.C.Nellikunnu258 71/04 ParasuramanMannuthy259 72/04 Joseph PalathingalMannuthy260 73/04 Sowdha K.A.Mannuthy261 74/04 Mathew K.L.Thrissur262 75/04 ReshmaVadakkumuri263 76/04 JessyArangu264 77/04 Jose P.P.Kannara265 78/04 Manju DavisOllur266 79/04 Seema E.S.Peringottukara267 80/04 Soman O.N.Kannara268 81/04 Usha A.K.Poyya269 82/04 Annie GeorgePottar270 83/04 Anto P.P.ThrissurAdv. VincentChirayathDevakiAvanoorJohnsonNellikkunnuRosilyThamarayoorRamachandranMannuthyRappai PuthusseryMannuthyWilsonKoottalaSeena PaulVilladamHanzil E.D.ValappadFr. IgnatiousAranguAlphonsaThaikkattusseryBijuThrissurBaijuPeringottukaraAjay KumarKannaraBalaram M.R.KodungallurChackoPottarFamilyPorinchuPuthenpeedikaCivil Pending MaleCivil Closed FemaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleCivil Pending MaleMiscellaneous Pending MaleConsumer Pending FemaleFamily Closed MaleFamily Pending FemaleCriminal Pending FemaleFamily Pending MaleCivil Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleFamily Closed MaleFamily Pending MaleFamily Closed FemaleCivil Closed Male91

ANNUAL REPORT - 2003-2004Sl.No. File No. Petitioner (s) Respondent(s) Nature Status Gender271 84/04 LaxmiMullakkara272 85/04 BhaskaranMullakkara273 86/04 The ResidentsMulayam RoadRavindranMannuthyVargheseThiroorKSEBMannuthyCivil Pending FemaleFamily Pending MaleMiscellaneous Pending Male/Female274 87/04 The ResidentsMulayam Road275 88/04 PushpaMullakkaraThrisur Corporation Miscellaneous Pending Male/FemaleThrissur Corporation Miscellaneous Pending Female276 89/04 Chakkunni C.R.Pullazhy277 90/04 Laila A.P.Mullakkara278 91/04 SreenathThottappady279 92/04 ShymaKodungallur280 93/04 Dainy T.J.Chengaloor281 94/04 Moly K.L.Avinissery282 95/04 VijayasanthaEdathuruthy283 96/04 ManiKolazhi284 97/04 Mary C.V.Chiyyaram285 98/04 James M.V.Mannuthy286 99/04 Varunny T.J.Thrissur287 100/04 DevakiKoottala288 101/04 NakulanChirakkal289 102/04 SiddiqueMannuthy92GeorgeOlariAssanarPalakkadWilsonPattikkadState of KeralaKodungallurShincy XavierIrinjalakudaBabyAvinisserySoorya PrakashEdathuruthiBabuKolazhiAntony K.P.AncheryCommissioner for Govt.Examinations, TrivandrumThankamaniThrissurCorporation ConcillorThrissurLikesh K.N.ChirakkalThankaMannuthyCivil Pending MaleFamily Pending FemaleCriminal Pending FemaleCriminal Pending FemaleFamily Pending MaleCriminal Pending FemaleCivil Pending FemaleCriminal Pending FemaleFamily Pending FemaleMiscellaneous Pending MaleFamily Pending MaleMiscellaneous Pending FemaleMiscellaneous Pending MaleMiscellaneous Pending Male

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INTRODUCTIONSERVICES OF LAWPUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL)LEGAL AID and ASSISTANCEHUMAN RIGHTSGENDER CONCERNSCHILD RIGHTSENVIRONMENT: ALTERNATE REPORTSJANANEETHI INTERNSHIP PROGRAMMEALLIANCES / NET WORKINGMAITHRI – HELPLINEPUBLICATIONS:RECEPTION to Mr.T.HARIDASJANANEETHI DAY, 30th Dec.CONFERENCE / WORKSHOPSFEED-BACKSJANANEETHI STAFFJANANEEHTI INSTITUTEPROJECTSFUNDSSTATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS &BALANCE SHEETCONCLUSIONANNEXURESJananeethi InstituteView of Jananeethi Campus, Mullakkara, ThrissurT.B. Road, Thrissur - 680 001, Kerala, IndiaTel : +91-487-2427338/2444473Fax : +91-487-2444474E-mail : jananeethi@asianetindia.com,gpneethi@sancharnet.inWeb : www.jananeethi.orgJananeethi Town Office, Thrissur