Aug 12, 2002: Article on Shabnam Hashmi (Gujarat) & Author’s reply.  
 

 

 


1. Bayarea Newsgroup Article on Shabnam Hashmi programs
2. Reply from the author of this article

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Shabnam Hashmi, as we already know is conducting programs across the US cities to educate American community about the Genocide in Gujarat. Several Indian-Muslim groups in US are sponsoring these and also arranging media contacts, Radio talk shows and reports in local newsgroups.

Here is a taste of how this Indian activist is informing the world about Gujarat. Report titled ‘Indian activist urges U.S. intervention in Gujarat’ in bayarea newsgroup.

Following statements from the report are enough to explain what the objective of this education program is.

“The current problems stem from the Feb. 27 fire set on a train at the Godhra station in Gujarat. Right-wing Hindu groups blamed Muslims for the attack, in which 57 people were killed.”

The report also mentions “Several years ago, Christians were targeted. Now it's the Muslim minority, Hashmi said” “She said the situation mirrors the ethnic cleansing that took place in the 1940s under Italian fascist Benito Mussolini.”

“Sponsored by several Indian-Muslim groups based in the Bay Area, Saturday's speech will focus on the history of human rights violations in Gujarat.”

Indian activist urges U.S. intervention in Gujarat
http://www.theargusonline.com/Stories/0,1413,83%257E1971%257E781487,00.html 

Melissa Evans, author of this article replied to our letter. Her reply is attached here.

Those who wish to write to the author of this report can contact her at:
Melissa Evans: mevans@angnewspapers.com 
Copy to: jkustelski@insidebayarea.com, pperron@insidebayarea.com, dsakai@insidebayarea.com 

2. Reply from Melissa Evans, author of this article.
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Dear Mahendra Joshi,

I appreciate your response. I wrote the article because a speaker was coming to our area to discuss, in her opinion, the situation in Gujarat. I understand this is a sensitve situation, but I've learned that the truth is really a matter of perspective.

In doing this story, I was handed two major studies by the Muslim-Indians I interviewed ... the reports backed what they were saying. I'm not saying they are right, only that there are many opinions out there. I can only try my best to be fair.

I assure you, I've written many articles from the Hindu perspective as well, and received many e-mails similar to yours from the other side, questioning my credibility.

Again, I appreciate your response. I hope that in the future I can use you and your group as a source for another perspective.

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