কলকাতা: রেহানা আহমেদ, মা IITian ফয়জান আহমেদ, যিনি তার একমাত্র সন্তানের জন্য ন্যায়বিচারের জন্য লড়াই করছেন, তার ছেলের হত্যার বিষয়ে তার মনে বেশ কয়েকটি প্রশ্ন রয়েছে। বলাই বাহুল্য, শোকার্ত মা তাদের কাছে উত্তর খুঁজছেন
আসামের তিনসুকিয়ার বাসিন্দা 23 বছর বয়সী ফয়জান আহমেদ আইআইটি খড়গপুরের মেকানিক্যাল ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিংয়ের তৃতীয় বর্ষের ছাত্র ছিলেন। ফয়জান 2020 সালে জয়েন্ট এন্ট্রান্স পরীক্ষায় (JEE) 11 তম অল ইন্ডিয়া র্যাঙ্ক (এআইআর) পেয়েছিলেন। আসাম সরকারের কাছ থেকে স্কলারশিপ পেয়ে আসা ফাইজানও আইআইটি-কে-এর এরিয়াল রোবোটিক্স রিসার্চ এবং রোবোসকার দলের সদস্য হয়েছিলেন।
লকডাউনের কারণে, 2021 সালের ডিসেম্বরে ফাইজানের শ্রেণীকক্ষে পাঠদান শুরু হয়। মাত্র নয় মাস অতিবাহিত হয়েছিল, যখন 14 অক্টোবর, 2022 তারিখে, তার হোস্টেলে তার আংশিকভাবে পচা দেহ পাওয়া যায়।
পরে আইআইটি কর্তৃপক্ষ দাবি করে, ফাইজান আত্মহত্যা করেছেন। প্রথম পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্টে তার মৃত্যুর কারণ জানা যায়নি। ছেলেকে খুন করা হয়েছে দাবি করে ফয়জানের পরিবার কলকাতা হাইকোর্টে যায়। আদালত অবসরপ্রাপ্ত ফরেনসিক বিশেষজ্ঞ ডাঃ অজয় কুমার গুপ্তকে পোস্টমর্টেমটি পুনরায় পরীক্ষা করতে বলেছে। ডাঃ গুপ্তা প্রথম ময়নাতদন্তের ভিডিও ক্লিপিংগুলি দেখার পরে দ্বিতীয় পোস্টমর্টেম করার জন্য কলকাতা হাইকোর্টকে অনুরোধ করেছিলেন। এতে বলা হয়, ফাইজানের মৃত্যু আত্মহত্যা নয় বরং হত্যা মামলা।
দ্বিতীয় ময়নাতদন্তের জন্য ছেলের মরদেহ শহরে আসার পর থেকে কলকাতায় অবস্থান করা রেহানা আহমেদ ইনিউজরুমের সঙ্গে কথা বলেন। তিনি কেবল বর্ণনা করেননি যে ফাইজান তার একাডেমিক ক্যারিয়ার জুড়ে কতটা উজ্জ্বল ছিলেন, তার উচ্ছল স্বভাব এবং কীভাবে তার প্রিয় পুত্রের মৃত্যুর পরে আইআইটি কর্তৃপক্ষ কোন উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেনি। মা এখন এসআইটি তদন্তের চেয়ে কম কিছু চান না। তিনি আরও যোগ করেছেন যে মামলার বিচার শুধুমাত্র কলকাতায় হওয়া উচিত, খড়্গপুরে নয়।
তার দুঃখ, আশা এবং চাহিদা বুঝতে তার একচেটিয়া সাক্ষাৎকারটি দেখুন।
Kolkata: Rehana Ahmed, the mother IITian Faizan Ahmed, who is fighting for justice for her only child, has several questions in her mind concerning the murder of her son. Needless to say, the grieving mother is seeking the answers to them
23-year-old Faizan Ahmed, a resident of Tinsukia, Assam was a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at IIT Kharagpur. Faizan got the 11th All India Rank (AIR) in Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in 2020. Faizan, who was getting a scholarship from the Assam government had also become a member of the Aerial Robotics Research and RoboSoccer teams of IIT-K.
Due to the lockdown, Faizan’s classroom teaching began in December 2021. Only nine months had elapsed, when on October 14, 2022, his partially decomposed body was found at his hostel.
Later, IIT authorities claimed that Faizan had committed suicide. The first postmortem report could not establish the cause of his death. The family of Faizan moved to Calcutta High Court claiming their son was murdered. The court asked retired forensic expert Dr Ajay Kumar Gupta to re-examine the postmortem. Dr Gupta after going the video clippings of the 1st autopsy requested Calcutta High Court to conduct the second postmortem. In which, it came to the fore that, that the death of Faizan was a case of homicide and not suicide.
Rehana Ahmed, who is staying in Kolkata since her son’s mortal remains reached the city for second autopsy talked to eNewsroom. She not only narrated how brilliant Faizan was throughout his academic career, his jovial nature, and how no concern was expressed by the IIT authorities after the death of her beloved son. The mother now wants nothing less than an SIT investigation. She also added that the trial of the case should take place in Kolkata only and not in Kharagpur.
Watch her exclusive interview to understand her grief, hope and demand.
কলকাতা: কলকাতা হাইকোর্ট, যে ফরেনসিক বিশেষজ্ঞের দ্বিতীয় পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্ট দেখার পরে আইআইটি খড়গপুরের ছাত্র একজন আইআইটিিয়ানের হত্যা বলে অভিহিত করেছিল, তার আদেশে ‘বিস্ময়’ও প্রকাশ করেছে যে চিকিৎসকরা প্রথম ময়নাতদন্ত রিপোর্ট মৃতের শরীরের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ দিক মিস.
19 পয়েন্ট সমন্বিত চার পৃষ্ঠার আদেশে, বিচারপতি রাজশেখর মন্থার আদালত আরও নির্দেশ দিয়েছে, “সিএফএসএলের পরিচালক কোন পরিস্থিতিতে বাদ পড়েছেন তার তদন্ত করবেন।”
একজন আইআইটিিয়ানের হত্যা
14 অক্টোবর, আইআইটি খড়গপুরের মেকানিক্যাল ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং-এর তৃতীয় বর্ষের ছাত্র ফয়জান আহমেদের আংশিক পচা দেহ হোস্টেলের একটি কক্ষ থেকে উদ্ধার করা হয়। আইআইটি কর্তৃপক্ষ দাবি করেছে যে আসামের তিনসুকিয়ার বাসিন্দা 23 বছর বয়সী ফাইজান বিষণ্নতায় ভুগছিলেন বলে আত্মহত্যা করেছেন।
যাইহোক, ফাইজানের পরিবার, তার মা রেহানা এবং সেলিম আহমেদ এটি প্রত্যাখ্যান করেছিল এবং জোর দিয়েছিল যে তাদের ছেলে, যে জেইই, 2020 তে এআইআর 11 অর্জন করেছিল এবং এরিয়াল রোবোটিক্সের পাশাপাশি রোবোসকারের সদস্য ছিল তাকে হত্যা করা হয়েছিল। আইআইটি খড়গপুরের ছাত্ররাও বিচারের দাবিতে ক্যাম্পাসের ভিতরে এক পাক্ষিকেরও বেশি সময় ধরে বিক্ষোভ করেছিল। যাইহোক, এটি কর্তৃপক্ষের কাছে খুব বেশি পার্থক্য করেনি, যদিও প্রথম পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্টে শরীরে কোনও আঘাতের ইঙ্গিত দেওয়া হয়নি এবং বিষয়টি আত্মহত্যা হিসাবে রয়ে গেছে।
এসব দেখে ফাইজানের বাবা-মা হাইকোর্টে যান। আদালত, প্রথম পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্ট এবং পুলিশ কেস ডায়েরি দেখার পর দেখেছে যে মৃত্যুর কারণ সম্পর্কে কোনও চূড়ান্ত প্রতিবেদন নেই। এটি অবসরপ্রাপ্ত ফরেনসিক বিশেষজ্ঞ ডঃ অজয় কুমার গুপ্তকে এই বিষয়ে তার প্রতিবেদন জমা দিতে বলেছে। ডাঃ গুপ্তা প্রথম পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্টের ভিডিও ক্লিপিংস দেখেন এবং সন্দেহ করেন যে ফাইজানের শরীরে হেমাটোমার চিহ্ন রয়েছে। এরপর তিনি আদালতের কাছে দ্বিতীয় ময়নাতদন্তের আবেদন করেন। মৃত্যুর কারণ জানতে আদালত একই নির্দেশ দেন। ফাইজানের মৃতদেহ ডিব্রুগড়ে দাফন করা হয়েছিল, সেখান থেকে এটি উত্তোলন করা হয়েছিল এবং 27 মে কলকাতা মেডিকেল কলেজ ও হাসপাতালে ময়নাতদন্ত করা হয়েছিল।
ফাইজানের মরদেহ উদ্ধারের দুইশত পঁয়ত্রিশ দিন পর বিচারপতি মান্থার আদালত ৬ জুন পর্যবেক্ষণ করেন, “বিষয়টি এখন একটি সম্ভাব্য নরহত্যার তদন্তে পরিণত হয়েছে।”
এবং খড়গপুর পুলিশকে নির্দেশ দেওয়ার সময় এটি আরও যোগ করে, “এমন গুরুতর প্রশ্ন রয়েছে যা পুলিশ এবং আইও দ্বারা সমাধান করা দরকার।”
ফাইজান আহমেদের পরিবার ও আইনজীবীর প্রথম প্রতিক্রিয়া শুনুন
পরবর্তী আদেশে বলা হয়েছে, “মুলতবিকৃত তারিখে তদন্তকারী কর্মকর্তা দ্বিতীয় পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্ট বিবেচনা করে পরবর্তী প্রতিবেদন দাখিল করবেন। তদন্তকারী অফিসার এফআইআর-এ অতিরিক্ত ধারা যোগ করতে এবং তদন্তের জন্য অভিযুক্ত হিসাবে অন্যান্য ব্যক্তিদের অন্তর্ভুক্ত করতে স্বাধীন থাকবেন।”
আদালত পুলিশ এবং ডিরেক্টর সিএফএসএল উভয়কে পরবর্তী তারিখের মধ্যে একটি কেস ডায়েরি উপস্থাপন করার এবং এক সপ্তাহের মধ্যে নতুন ফরেনসিক রিপোর্ট জমা দেওয়ার নির্দেশ দিয়েছে।
আদেশে বলা হয়েছে, “নমুনা প্রাপ্তির এক সপ্তাহের মধ্যে একটি নতুন ফরেনসিক রিপোর্ট জমা দেওয়া হয়। মামলার সত্যতা নিয়ে একটি অভিযানের প্রয়োজন রয়েছে।”
আদালত অবসরপ্রাপ্ত ফরেনসিক বিশেষজ্ঞ ডঃ অজয় গুপ্ত, এবং অ্যামিকাস কিউরি সন্দীপ কুমার ভট্টাচার্য, আদালতে উপস্থিত হওয়ার জন্য কোনও পারিশ্রমিক প্রত্যাখ্যান করার জন্য যে কাজের জন্য গভীর প্রশংসা অনুভব করেছেন।
এটি ডিব্রুগড়ে মৃতদেহের পুনঃপরিবহনের ব্যবস্থা করার এবং চূড়ান্ত দাফনের জন্য মৃতের পরিবারের সদস্যদের কাছে হস্তান্তর করার জন্য পুলিশকে নির্দেশ দিয়েছে।
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court, which after seeing the second postmortem report by the forensic expert had called the death of IIT Kharagpur student Faizan Ahmed, a ‘homicide’ in its order has also expressed ‘surprise’ at the fact that the doctors in their first autopsy report missed out on vital aspect of the deceased’s body.
In the four-page order comprising 19 points, the court of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha further instructed, “The Director of the CFSL shall cause an enquiry into the circumstances under which the omission occurred.”
On October 14, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student of IIT Kharagpur Faizan Ahmed’s partially decomposed body recovered from a hostel room. IIT authorities claimed that the 23-year-old Faizan, a resident of Tinsukia, Assam has committed suicide because he was in depression.
However, the family of Faizan, his mother Rehana and Salim Ahmed had refuted it and asserted that their son, who had secured AIR 11 in JEE, 2020 and was a member of Aerial Robotics as well as Robosoccer got murdered. The students of IIT Kharagpur had also protested for justice for more than a fortnight inside the campus. However, it did not make much difference to the authorities, while the first postmortem report did not hint at any injury in the body and the matter remains a suicide one.
Witnessing all these, Faizan’s parents moved to the High Court. The court, after going through the first postmortem report and police case diary, found that there is no conclusive report on the cause of death. It asked retired forensic expert Dr Ajay Kumar Gupta to submit his report in this regard. Dr Gupta went through the video clippings of the first postmortem report and suspected that there were signs of Hematoma in the body of Faizan. He then requested the court to conduct a second autopsy. The court ordered the same to know the cause of the death. The body of Faizan was buried in Dibrugarh, from where it was exhumed and an autopsy was conducted on May 27 at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
Two hundred and thirty five days after the recovery of Faizan’s body, the court of Justice Mantha observed on June 6, “The matter now becomes an investigation into a likely Homicidal murder.”
And while ordering to Kharagpur police that it further adds, “There are serious questions that are required to be addressed by the police and the IO.”
Listen to the first reaction of Faizan Ahmed’s family and lawyer
The next order reads, “On the adjourned date the investigating officer shall submit a further report after considering the second postmortem report. The investigating officer shall be free to add additional sections to the FIR and include other persons as accused for investigation.”
The court ordered both police and Director CFSL to present a case diary by the next date and submit a fresh forensic report in a week.
The order said, “A fresh forensic report is submitted within a week of receipt of the samples. An expedition is required in the facts of the case.”
The court also felt a deep appreciation for the work done by the retired forensic expert Dr Ajay Gupta, and amicus curiae Sandip Kumar Bhattacharya, for declining any remuneration for appearing in the court.
It also instructed the police to arrange the re-transport of the mortal remains to Dibrugarh and handing it over to the family members of the deceased for the final burial.
কলকাতা: একটি বড় উন্নয়নে, আইআইটি খড়গপুর ফয়জান আহমেদ এর মৃত্যুতে, যার মৃতদেহ গত বছরের অক্টোবরে তার হোস্টেল রুমের মধ্যে পাওয়া গিয়েছিল, কলকাতা হাইকোর্ট, ‘দ্বিতীয় ময়নাতদন্ত রিপোর্ট’ দেখার পরে এটিকে ‘হত্যা’ বলে পর্যবেক্ষণ করেছে। ‘
আদালতের বিচারপতি রাজশেখর মন্থা আরও বলেছেন যে পরবর্তী শুনানিতে, তদন্তকারী সংস্থা কে হবে তা নির্ধারণ করা হবে।
14 অক্টোবর, 2022-এ, তৃতীয় বর্ষের মেকানিক্যাল ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং ছাত্র ফাইজান আহমেদের আংশিক পচনশীল দেহ, যিনি গবেষণা দলের এরিয়াল রোবোটিক্স এবং রোবোসকার দলের সদস্যও ছিলেন, আইআইটি খড়গপুর ক্যাম্পাসের ভিতরে একটি হোস্টেলে পাওয়া গিয়েছিল।
আইআইটি খড়গপুর ফয়জান আহমেদ
তিনসুকিয়ার বাসিন্দা, ফয়জান, যিনি 11 তম এআইআর-এর সাথে 2020 সালে জয়েন্ট এন্ট্রান্স পরীক্ষা (জেইই) পাশ করেছিলেন, তিনিও আসাম সরকারের কাছ থেকে স্কলারশিপ পেয়েছিলেন।
ঘটনার পরে, আইআইটি কর্তৃপক্ষ এটিকে আত্মহত্যার ঘটনা বলে দাবি করেছিল। 23 বছর বয়সী যুবকের প্রথম পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্টে মৃত্যুর কোনও নির্দিষ্ট কারণ নিশ্চিত করা যায়নি। ফাইজানের শরীরের ভেতরে কোনো বিষাক্ত পদার্থ পাওয়া যায়নি বা বাইরে কোনো ঝুলন্ত চিহ্ন ছিল না।
প্রকৃতপক্ষে, প্রথম ময়নাতদন্ত রিপোর্টের মধ্য দিয়ে যাওয়ার পরে, অবসরপ্রাপ্ত ফরেনসিক বিশেষজ্ঞ অজয় কুমার গুপ্ত, যাকে হাইকোর্ট তার রিপোর্ট জমা দেওয়ার নির্দেশ দিয়েছিলেন, দাবি করেছিলেন যে প্রথম পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্টের ভিডিও ক্লিপিংগুলি হেমাটোমার একটি কেস নির্দেশ করে। ডাঃ গুপ্তার আবেদনের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে হাইকোর্ট ফাইজানের লাশের দ্বিতীয় ময়নাতদন্তের নির্দেশ দেন। দেহটি ডিব্রুগড় থেকে উত্তোলন করা হয়েছিল এবং কলকাতা মেডিকেল কলেজ হাসপাতালে নিয়ে যাওয়া হয়েছিল, যেখানে এটি 27 মে করা হয়েছিল।
শুনানি শেষে ফাইজানের পরিবার ও আইনজীবী (রেহানা আহমেদ, সেলিম আহমেদ, অনিরুদ্ধ মিত্র ও সরফরাজ আলম)
আজ, আদালত শুনানির সময়, আইআইটি খড়গপুরকে এখন পর্যন্ত পোস্টমর্টেম রিপোর্টের অনুলিপি পেতে দেয়নি, কারণ তারা অভিযুক্ত হতে পারে।
মামলার শুনানি করার সময়, বিচারপতি মান্থা একবার বলেছিলেন: “আইআইটি খড়গপুরও নথিগুলিকে ফাঁকি দেওয়ার চেষ্টা করেছে।”
এদিকে, মামলার প্রতিনিধিত্বকারী আইনজীবী রঞ্জিত চ্যাটার্জি, আতিস বিশ্বাস, নীলাদ্রি সেনগুপ্ত এবং অনিরুদ্ধ মিত্র এটিকে ফয়জানকে হত্যার সত্যতা প্রতিষ্ঠার দিকে একটি বড় পদক্ষেপ বলে বর্ণনা করেছেন।
আদালতের শুনানির পর রঞ্জিত চ্যাটার্জি ইনিউজরুমকে বলেন, “দ্বিতীয় পোস্টমর্টেমে হত্যার একটি মামলা প্রতিষ্ঠিত হয়েছে এবং মাথায় ও বুকে আঘাতের কারণে প্রচুর রক্তক্ষরণ হয়েছে।”
অ্যাডভোকেট চট্টোপাধ্যায় আরও যোগ করেছেন, “সেকেন্ড পিএম রিপোর্টটি আইও-কে হস্তান্তর করা হবে তবে এই পর্যায়ে আইআইটি নয় কারণ তাদের হত্যার সাথে জড়িত থাকার সম্ভাবনা রয়েছে।”
রেহানা এবং সেলিম আহমেদ, ফাইজানের মা ও বাবা, যারা তাদের একমাত্র সন্তান ফাইজানের ন্যায়বিচারের জন্য অক্লান্ত লড়াই করছেন, তারা ইনিউজরুমকে বলেন, “আজ আদালতের আদেশ প্রমাণ করেছে যে আমার ছেলে আত্মহত্যা করেনি। তিনি দুর্বল মানুষ ছিলেন না। সে খুনী ছিল. আইআইটি খড়গপুরে তাঁর মৃত্যুর খবর পাওয়ার পর থেকে আমরা সবসময় এটি বজায় রেখেছি এবং বিশ্বাস করেছি।”
eNewsroom যোগাযোগ করার চেষ্টা করেছিল, VK তিওয়ারি, ডিরেক্টর, IIT খড়গপুর কিন্তু কলের উত্তর পাওয়া যায়নি।
তবে, এখন সবচেয়ে বড় প্রশ্ন, আইআইটি ক্যাম্পাসের ভেতরে ফয়জান আহমেদকে কারা হত্যা করেছে?
বুধবার, 14 জুন উত্তর খুঁজতে আদালত একটি তদন্ত সংস্থা গঠন করবে
Kolkata: In a major development, in the death of IIT Kharagpur student Faizan Ahmed, whose dead body was found inside his hostel room in October last year, Calcutta High Court, after going through ‘second autopsy report’ observed that it as a ‘homicide’.
The Court of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha further said that in the next hearing, it will be decided who will be the investigating agency.
On October 14, 2022, the partially decomposed body of third-year mechanical engineering student Faizan Ahmed, who was also a member of the Aerial Robotics and RoboSoccer teams of the research team, was found in a hostel inside the IIT Kharagpur campus.
A resident of Tinsukia, Faizan, who had cracked the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) in 2020 with 11th AIR, was also getting a scholarship from the Assam government.
After the incident, IIT authorities were claiming it is a case of suicide. The first postmortem report of the 23-year-old youth could not ascertain any concrete cause for the death. No poisonous substance found inside nor was any hanging mark outside Faizan’s body.
In fact, after going through the first autopsy report, retired forensic expert Ajay Kumar Gupta, who was instructed by the High Court to submit his report, claimed that the video clippings of the first postmortem report indicated a case of hematoma. On the request of Dr Gupta, the High Court had ordered a second autopsy of Faizan’s body. The body was exhumed from Dibrugarh and flown to Calcutta Medical College Hospital, where it was performed on May 27.
The family of Faizan and lawyer after the hearing. From left (Rehana Ahmed, Salim Ahmed, Aniruddha Mitra and Sarfaraz Alam)
Today, during the hearing the court, also did not allow IIT Kharagpur to get a copy of postmortem report as of now, as they may be the accused.
While hearing the case, Justice Mantha once said: “IIT Kharagpur has also tried to fudge the documents.”
Meanwhile, lawyers representing the case Ranjit Chatterjee, Atis Biswas, Niladri Sengupta and Aniruddha Mitra described it as a major step towards establishing the fact that Faizan was murdered.
Ranjit Chatterjee told eNewsroom after the court hearing, “The second postmortem establishes a case of homicide with death occurring due to profuse bleeding from injuries in the head and chest.”
Advocate Chatterjee also added, “Second PM report will be handed over to IO but not IIT at this stage because of their likely involvement in the murder.”
Rehana and Salim Ahmed, mother and father of Faizan, who are fighting a tireless battle for the justice of their only child, Faizan, told eNewsroom, “Today, the court order proved that my son had not committed suicide. He was not a weak human. He was murdered. We always maintained and believed in this ever since we got the news of his death at IIT Kharagpur.”
eNewsroom tried contacting, VK Tiwari, Director, IIT Kharagpur but the calls remained unanswered.
However, now the biggest question is, who killed Faizan Ahmed inside the IIT campus?
The court will institute an inquiry body to find the answers on Wednesday, June 14.
Ganga is India’s most revered river which flows from the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand through different streams and rivers with extraordinary natural beauty travelling through deeply difficult terrain, overcoming hurdles, big gorges and curves. It not only satiates the spiritual life of Hindus who call it Ganga Maa or ‘Maa Gange’ but also builds a civilisation around it. Cities flourished on the bank of Ganges all over the country though the Ganga river valley system is powerful and unique yet in Uttarakhand region, it is enchanting and can fulfil your spiritual needs too. Trekking to Gangetic valley and its different tributaries in Uttarakhand gives you an understanding of the Ecosystem of the state and how people are closely associated with it. Ganga is not merely a river system but the surroundings of rich biodiversity. Hence, you cannot really understand the Gangetic valley civilisation without studying the ecology of the Alpine Meadows, which are locally known as Bugyal and the rich food culture of Uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand is the source of three river systems that emerge from Himalaya. They are Kali in the East, Bhagirathi-Alaknanda in the Centre and Yamuna Tons in the Western part of the state. Broadly, Ganga emerge from the confluence of river Bhagirathi and Alaknanda at Devprayag, one of the five main prayags of the Hiamalayas and then move through a deeply fascinating landscape, passing through beautiful curves at the Vyasghat where river Nayar flows into it and then move towards the plains and Muni Ki Reti in Rishikesh is the first town to welcome it.
However, it is important to look at all the major confluences in the Alakananda which ultimately make it more powerful and bigger than Bhagirathi when both of them merge in each other to make Ganga at Devprayag. Alaknanda is said to be flowing from the Satopanth glaciers and immersing various other Himalayan rivers into it such as Dhauli Ganga at Vishnu Prayag, Nandakini at Nand Prayag, Pindar at Karnprayag and Mandakini at Rudra Prayag, at Devprayag and move towards Rishikesh in the plains as Ganga. Travelling through various parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal, Ganga enters Bangladesh as Padma when crossing from Murshidabad. The total length of Ganga is 2,510 kilometres[1] when it finally culminates in the Bay of Bengal.
After emerging from Uttarakhand, Ganges become mightier as numerous other powerful rivers merge in it throughout its journey towards its culmination at Ganga Sagar in Bengal on one side and Bangladesh on the other side as the river bifurcate with one part moving towards West Bengal while other moving towards Bangladesh.
The making of Ganga is fascinating and the subject of the current work is confined to Uttarakhand yet in this introduction, we would like to provide a glimpse of the magnificent journey of Ganges and its major tributaries of Ganga till it empty itself in the Bay of Bengal.
The first state after Uttarakhand where Ganga flows in is Uttar Pradesh where it enters into district Bijnaur adjacent to Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. The river travels more than 1140 kilometers[2] in the state of Uttar Pradesh and pass through 25 districts such as Bulandshahar, Hapur, Meerut, Mujaffarnagar, Aligarh, Kasganj, Sambhal, Amorha, Badayun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, RaiBareilly, Unnao, Farukhabad, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Balia. Two most important pilgrim Centres of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi and Prayagraj are situated on the bank of Ganga and attract millions of visitors from around the world. Interestingly, Ganga has its biggest confluences with river Yamuna at the Prayagraj. Let us look at the important tributaries and confluence of Ganges in Uttar Pradesh. There are 49 other districts through which various tributaries of Ganges pass through.
River Alaknanda at Srinagar Garhwal | Credit: Author
Yamuna
The first big confluence of Ganga in Uttar Pradesh is river Yamuna at Allahabad. Yamuna too flows from Uttarakhand’s Yamunotri region at the peak known as Yamunotri Glacier in the Uttarkashi district at the altitude of 6387 meters, pass through a beautiful Yamuna valley in the district of Tehri Garhwal as well as Dehradun. At the Dakpathar border the river enter into Paunta Saheb in Himachal Pradesh and move towards Yamuna Nagar in Haryana and then to Delhi. Mathura and Agra are two most famous cities on the bank of Yamuna, the former known for the Lord Krishna while the latter for the extraordinary and immortal buildings, forts and of course, Taj Mahal.
Yamuna finally merges in Ganga at the Allahabad, now known as Prayag Raj and moves towards another mythologically one of the ancient cities of the world, named as Kashi or Varanasi. Before its immersion in Ganga at Prayagraj, Yamuna travels about 1,376 kilometers[3] from its source at Yamunotri and has more than 40% of the catchment area in the Gangetic valley. The major tributaries of Yamuna are Tons, Hindon, Ken and Chambal.
Sharda or Kali: Sharda River is also known as Mahakali or Kali river in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand as well as Nepal. Actually, it flows from the Kalapani mountain range in the Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand bordering Nepal. While in Uttarakhand, it is more known as Kali nadi or Sharda nadi, crossing the border in Nepal, it is known as Mahakali nadi. While the river has its origin in the numerous Himalayan streams, the border villages of Lipulekh and Kalapani in Uttarakhand are considered the source of this river. It moves towards the downside in Tanakpur and Banbasa opposite Mahendranagar district of Nepal. A big reservoir divides the river between India and Nepal. From Banbasa, Tanakapur it moves in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh through Lakhimpur Khiri and moves towards Baharaich district where it merges into river Ghaghara. Sharda or Kali river is known for its ferocity during the monsoon and has caused heavy devastation in the Tarai region. There are two big barrages which become the dividing lines between India and Nepal at the Tanakpur barrage and Sharda Barrage at Banbasa in Uttarakhand. Pancheswar dam is being built over it now.
Chambal: Chambal is one of the most important and known rivers emerging from Mhow district in Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for its ravines in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh border. It travels 965 kilometers including about 360 kilometers in Rajasthan and flows into river Yamuna near Etava. It enters Uttar Pradesh through Dhaulpur and covers a journey of 32 kilometers before it flows into Yamuna at Bhareh town in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. In Rajasthan, Chambal passes through some of the most exciting and extraordinary routes.
River Bhagirati at Harsil near Gangotri | Credit: Author
Bihar
After Uttar Pradesh, Ganga flows through Bihar State and covers 12 Ganga districts and 33 districts where various tributaries of Ganges pass through. The total length of the Ganga river in Bihar is 260 kilometer. A number of rivers that originate from Nepal are ultimately empty at the Ganges which include Baghmati, Boodhigandak, Sone, Mahananda, Ghaghara, Kosi and Gandak.
Ghaghara: Ghaghara is one of the biggest tributaries of Ganges after Yamuna. Ghagara too is the Himalayan river and is called Karnali in Nepal. The total length of river Karnali in Nepal is 507 kilometres. River Sharda merges into it. Ghaghara is also an extremely powerful river and ferocious during the Monsoon season. From Nepal to Revalganj, in district Chhapra, Bihar where Ghaghara merges in the Ganges, the total length of the river is said to be 1080 kilometres.
Gandak: Another powerful river which flows through mountains on the Nepal Tibet border in the Mustang valley and is known as Gandaki or Kali and becomes Narayani river after meeting Trishuli in Nepal. becomes Gandak or Gandaki in India. It finally merges in Ganga in Hajipur near Patna but before that it passes through Champaran, Saran and Mujaffarpur district of Bihar. In total, it travels about 630 kilometres from Nepal to India including 330 kilometres journey in Nepal.
Kosi: River Kosi is known as the curse of Bihar because of massive destruction and devastation due to floods in Monsoon. The river emerges from the Nepal-Tibet border and passes through various districts of Bihar and flows into Ganga at Kursela town in district Katihar.
Jharkhand: Ganga enters in Jharkhand from Sahebganj district and Dhanbad, Bokaro and Ramgarh are districts from where the most powerful tributary of the region, Damodar flows into it.
River Damodar: Damodar river originates from Chhotanagpur plateau in Latehar, Lohardaga district of Jharkhand state. It passes through Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Kodarma, Giridih and Dhanbad before entering Bardhaman and Hooghaly district of West Bengal. Damodar river too is considered to be a ‘curse’ in many places of Bengal because of the massive flooding and devastation it causes during the monsoons. It is considered to be the biggest river of Jharkhand and travels to 592 kilometers including 302 kilometers in West Bengal before flowing into river Howrah or locally termed as Ganga in Shyampur, West Bengal.
A beautiful wodden house in village mukhba near Gangotri | Credit: Author
West Bengal
In West Bengal the one Ganga district where Ganga passes through is Malda. After passing through Katihar, Munger, Bhagalpur, Ganga enters Jharkhand’s Sahebganj district before entering into West Bengal where it flows into Berhampur city, the administrative headquarters of district Murshidabad. An artificial canal takes 50% of Ganges water towards Kolkata in the river Hooghly which too is locally known as Ganga and then ultimately goes to Haldia and Gangasagar which is the most famous pilgrimage for Hindus. The Ganga Sagar Delta is the place where Ganga finally flowed into Bay of Bengal, is about 100 kilometers from Kolkata city. Thousands of pilgrims come to this place every year during the Gangasagar mela during Makar Sakranti in the month of January.
Mahandanda river, One of the Monsoon fed rivers emerging from the hills of Darjeeling district, passes through a certain portion of Bihar and enters into Bengal again. It enters into Bangladesh from Uttar Dinajpur district and ultimately merges into Ganges at Godagari Ghat after completing 360 kilometers.
Bangladesh
A large number of people in India consider Gangasagar as the ‘ultimate’ journey of Ganga but the fact is Ganga is bifurcated and one part goes towards Hooghly while the lower part moves towards Bangladesh. Interestingly, Ganga in Bangladesh is known as river Padma and joined by many other tributaries including Jamuna river, which is actually the lower stream of Brahmputra. Near Chandpur, the lower channel of Brahmputra named as Meghna meets Padma and moves towards the Bay of Bengal. After a journey of 264 kilometre they culminate through four ‘mouths’ in the massive Bay of Bengal via Tetulia, Shahbazpur, Hatia and Bamni.
A heritage of Indian culture
Theimpact of Ganga on human life in India is unprecedented. Its journey from Himalayas to Bay of Bengal is exciting and fascinating which need to be explored further to make people aware of the fact that Ganga is not merely the spiritual life of Indians but culture flourished on its banks and farmers grew varieties of crops which fed India. The Upper Gangetic belt in Uttar Pradesh is one of the most fertile regions of Paddy, Rice, Sugarcanes and numerous varieties of pulses and vegetables. City blossomed on the bank of Ganges and became not merely pilgrimage Centres but industrial hubs. Rishikesh, Haridwar, Mujaffarnagar, Meerut, Bareilly, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Ara, Patna, Bhagalpur, Behrampur, Barddhaman, Kolkata, and Haldia are some of the most important cities near Ganga. If we count the cities on the tributaries of Ganges, then it will be a very large part of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Though many of the tributaries of Ganga have been termed as ‘Curse’ in various states because they brought enormous devastation in monsoons such as Sharda, Kosi and Chambal yet after their ‘merger’ yet they have strengthened the magnitude of the Ganges.
Though in terms of length Brahmputra is 916 kilometers in India which covers Arunchal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim and Indus rivers are bigger than Ganges but their stretch in India is too short comparatively to Gangas and it remained the biggest river of India. The Indus river arises in the Kailash mansarovar and enters India through Ladakh and flows into Pakistan through Gilgit and Baltistan. All the five rivers of Punjab namely, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satlej ultimately merge in Indus in Pakistan.
Ganga, Brahmputra and Indus are actually having their origin in Himalayas and pass through Tibet and India. While Ganga and Brahmputra empty at the Bay of Bengal, Indus goes to Pakistan and finally flows into Arabian Sea near Karachi. Hence, a careful study in terms of contribution to India’s water supply as well as agricultural sector, Ganga remains the most powerful and unparalleled.
Our rivers are the biggest assets of our nations. They are truly our cultural heritage as they built a lively civilisation and rich bio-diversity around them. There was nothing wrong in the idea when people of India termed Ganga as ‘mother’ but the issue is whether we really respect that heritage in terms of protecting it from all kinds of ‘assault’ or have reduced our love to mere rituals which sometimes create more crisis for these rivers than not doing so. Ganga needs to survive if our civilisation has flourished and feel proud of the rich heritage.
गत 28 मई (2023) को प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने संसद के नए भवन का उद्घाटन किया. यह भवन पुराने भवन की तुलना में कहीं अधिक ठाठदार है. विपक्ष की अधिकांश पार्टियों ने उद्घाटन कार्यक्रम का बहिष्कार किया. उनका तर्क था कि इस भवन का उद्घाटन राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मू को करना था. संविधान के अनुच्छेद 79 के अनुसार संसद में राष्ट्रपति, लोकसभा और राज्यसभा शामिल हैं. इस प्रकार, राष्ट्रपति, संसद का हिस्सा होते हैं. उन्हें इस समारोह से बाहर रखना अपने पर हर चीज़ के केंद्र में अपने को रखने की मोदी की प्रवृत्ति का सूचक है.
इस भव्य कार्यक्रम के दो पहलू महत्वपूर्ण हैं. पहला यह कि उसमें बड़ी संख्या में साधु, पंडित और कई मठों के मुखियाओं ने भाग लिए. भगवान शिव और गणेश का आव्हान किया गया और हिन्दू कर्मकाण्ड हुए. यह निश्चित रूप से हमारे देश और हमारे संविधान के धर्मनिरपेक्ष चरित्र को क्षति पहुँचाने वाले थे. मोदी ने तमिलनाडु के मयिलाडूथुरई के निकट स्थित एक शैव मठ थिरुवदुथुरई अधीनम के प्रतिनिधियों से सेंगोल नामक राजदंड स्वीकार किया. तमिलनाडु के विभिन्न अधीनमों के प्रतिनिधियों और लोकसभा अध्यक्ष के साथ प्रधानमंत्री ने सेंगोल को नए भवन में स्थापित किया.
ऐसा बताया गया है कि यह सेंगोल सत्ता हस्तांतरण का प्रतीक है. यह चोल राजाओं की परंपरा का भाग है, जिसमें नए राजा को उसकी शक्तियों के प्रतीक के रूप में सेंगोल भेंट किया जाता था. परंपरा के अनुसार राजा अपनी शक्तियां, पुरोहितों के ज़रिये, सर्वशक्तिमान ईश्वर से प्राप्त करता था. प्रधानमंत्री इसी ‘गौरवशाली परंपरा’ को पुनर्जीवित करना चाहते हैं.
हमें यह भी बताया गया है कि देश की स्वतंत्रता के समय लार्ड माउंटबेटन ने सत्ता के हस्तांतरण के प्रतीक के रूप में यह सेंगोल जवाहरलाल नेहरू को सौंपा था. यह एक मनगढ़ंत कहानी है. कांग्रेस के जयराम रमेश ने एक ट्वीट में कहा, “एक राजसी राजदंड, जिसकी परिकल्पना तत्कालीन मद्रास प्रान्त की एक धार्मिक संस्था ने की थी और जिसे मद्रास में बनाया गया था, को अगस्त 1947 में जवाहरलाल नेहरू को सौंपा गया था…परन्तु इसका कोई दस्तावेजी प्रमाण नहीं है कि माउंटबेटन, नेहरू या राजाजी ने इस राजदंड को ब्रिटेन से भारत को सत्ता हस्तांतरण का प्रतीक बताया. इस आशय के सभी दावे कोरे और विशुद्ध बोगस है. ये दावे केवल कुछ लोगों की दिमाग की उपज हैं, जिन्हें पहले व्हाट्सएप के ज़रिये फैलाया गया और अब सरकार के भाट मीडिया संस्थानों के ज़रिये प्रचारित किया जा रहा है. राजाजी के जीवन और उनके कार्यों के बारे में गहन ज्ञान रखने वाले दो विद्वान अध्येताओं, जिनकी साख पर कभी कोई बट्टा नहीं लगा, ने इस दावे पर आश्चर्य व्यक्त किया है.”
निश्चित रूप से शैव मठ के पंडित की इस भेंट को उनकी और उनकी भावनाओं की क़द्र करते हुए नेहरु ने स्वीकार कर लिया होगा. परन्तु उसे अपने प्रधानमंत्री कार्यालय में रखने की बजाय उन्होंने इलाहाबाद के संग्रहालय में रखवा दिया. नेहरु सहित स्वाधीनता संग्राम के सभी बड़े नेता, राजशाही और राजाओं में तनिक भी श्रद्धा नहीं रखते थे. वे प्रजातंत्र में आस्था रखते थे जिसमें जनसामान्य चुनावों के ज़रिये सत्ता अपने नेताओं को सौंपते हैं. प्रजातंत्र में जनता का राज होता है और शक्ति का स्त्रोत न तो ईश्वर होता है और ना ही उनके प्रतिनिधि होने का दावा करने वाले पंडित और पुजारी. भारत की शासन व्यवस्था प्रजातंत्र पर आधारित है. प्रजातंत्र का एक मूलभूत तत्व यह है कि शासक (प्रधानमंत्री या राष्ट्रपति), धार्मिक गुरु (राजपुरोहित) के प्रति जवाबदेह बादशाह नहीं होते. वे जनता और संविधान के प्रति जवाबदेह निर्वाचित प्रतिनिधि होते हैं.
द्रविड़ मुनेत्र कड़गम के संस्थापक सी.के. अन्नादुरै ने सेंगोल को सत्ता के प्रतीक के रूप में प्रस्तुत करने के खिलाफ एक तीखा लेख लिखा था. उनके अनुसार, “आपको (नेहरु) पता है कि प्रजातंत्र के आगाज़ की राह प्रशस्त करने के लिए उन्हें इससे (सेंगोल) से छुटकारा पाना ज़रूरी था. मठों के मुखिया डरे हुए हैं. उन्हें डर है कि आप वही करेंगे जो आपने सीखा-जाना है. इसलिए वे अपनी रक्षा के लिए स्वर्ण तो क्या नवरत्नों से जड़ा राजदंड भी आपको भेंट कर सकते हैं.”
हिन्दू कर्मकाण्ड को प्रधानता देना भाजपा-आरएसएस के एजेंडा का हिस्सा है. वे हमारे देश के बहुवादी चरित्र को कमज़ोर कर देश पर हिन्दू राष्ट्रवाद को थोपना चाहते हैं. यह हिन्दू राष्ट्रवाद, दरअसल, हिन्दू राजाओं द्वारा स्थापित नियमों और परम्पराओं पर आधारित है. इसे ही उनके चिंतकों ने हिन्दू राष्ट्रवाद का नाम दिया है. यह मात्र संयोग नहीं है कि नए संसद भवन का उद्घाटन विनायक दामोदर सावरकर के 140वें जन्मदिन पर किया गया. सावरकर हिन्दू राष्ट्रवाद के प्रणेता हैं, जिन्होंने अपनी पुस्तक “हिन्दू राष्ट्रवाद ऑर हू इज़ ए हिन्दू” में इसे प्रस्तुत किया था. यह पुस्तक धर्म को राष्ट्रवाद का आधार बताती है और ऐसी पहली पुस्तक है जो “द्विराष्ट्र सिद्धांत” की खुलकर वकालत करती है.
मोदी जी ने जो तमाशा किया उससे जाहिर है कि वे आस्था को संविधान के ऊपर रखना चाहते हैं. उन्होंने घोषणा की “आज, भारत पुनः प्राचीन काल की गौरवशाली धारा की ओर मुड़ रहा है.” उस “प्राचीन गौरवशाली काल” के मूल्य क्या थे? एक तानाशाह राजा हुआ करता था जो जातिगत और लैंगिक ऊंच-नीच से सराबोर समाज पर शासन करता था. उस “गौरवशाली काल” के नियमों और मान्यताओं को मनुस्मृति में परिभाषित किया गया है. इस पुस्तक को अंबेडकर ने सार्वजनिक रूप से जलाया था. अंबेडकर के अनुसार, प्राचीन काल में ऐसी ही पुस्तकों के कारण समाज में दलितों और महिलाओं का दोयम दर्जा था.
संघ के चिंतक इस आयोजन को गौरवशाली बता रहे हैं. उनके अनुसार यह हिन्दुओं की उस गौरवशाली परंपरा को पुनर्जीवित करता है जिसमें धर्म राजनीति से ऊपर था और राजा का कर्तव्य था कि वह धर्म के दिखाए रास्ते पर चले और यह भी कि सेंगोल इसी परंपरा का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है. सरकार का कहना है कि यह राजदंड परंपरा की निरंतरता का प्रतीक और पवित्र संप्रभुता और धर्म के राज को साकार स्वरूप है. आरएसएस के राम माधव के अनुसार (इंडियन एक्सप्रेस, 29 मई, 2023), “नए संसद भवन में सेंगोल की स्थापना के समय उसकी ऐतिहासिकता बहस का मुद्दा नहीं हो सकती बल्कि मुद्दा यह है कि वह ‘धर्मदंड’ है और भारत की सभ्यागत परंपरा में राजनैतिक सत्ता पर नैतिक और आध्यात्मिक की सर्वोच्चता के प्रतीक है.”
वे आगे लिखते हैं, “भारत की सभ्यागत परंपरा में राजाओं और बादशाहों को कभी सर्वोच्च सत्ताधारी नहीं माना गया. चाहे वे किसी भी राजचिन्ह हो धारण करते रहे हों – मुकुट, राजदंड या स्वर्ण वर्तुल – राजाओं को उनके राजतिलक के समय ही दरबार का पुरोहित याद दिलाता था कि धर्म अर्थात नैतिक-आध्यात्मिक व्यवस्था ही सर्वोच्च प्राधिकारी है.
एक तरह से यह आयोजन हिन्दू राष्ट्र की स्थापना की ओर एक और कदम है. इससे यह भी पता चलता है कि मोदी के मन में राजा बनने की कितनी तीव्र अतृप्त इच्छा है. इस कार्यक्रम में राजतंत्र के मूल्यों को आधुनिक वेशभूषा में प्रस्तुत किया गया और धर्म के नाम पर प्रजातांत्रिक मूल्यों को कुचलने को औचित्यपूर्ण ठहराया गया. इसी तरह की कट्टरता हम इस्लाम के नाम पर पाकिस्तान में, ईसाई धर्म के नाम पर अमेरिका में और बौद्ध धर्म के नाम पर श्रीलंका में देख सकते हैं. जिस समय उद्घाटन का भव्य कार्यक्रम चल रहा था उसी समय पुलिस प्रजातांत्रिक ढंग से आंदोलनरत पहलवानों के साथ बेरहमी से हाथापाई कर रही थी. यह है हमारी सरकार की प्रजातंत्र के प्रति प्रतिबद्धता.
Delhi/Bhopal: Khalid Saifi, a social activist was arrested on February 26, 2020, in the Khureji Khas locality of Delhi amid the Anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests. Later, three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against him. The 41-year-old activist has been in jail for 1190 days now.
Nargis Saifi, the wife of activist Khalid, in a heartfelt conversation with eNewsroom, shared her fight for justice and struggles to support family which has three children also but do not want to bow down before the unexpected challenge life threw on her.
Life Is A Challenge, without Khalid
It is an exhausting battle for justice for Nargis, a homemaker. She stands alone in her relentless pursuit to seek justice for her husband. Life has become challenging for her as a Muslim woman. Nargis never ventured out alone before Khalid’s arrest and now she is forced to do things independently including attending court hearings. “Every step I take is met with unwarranted scrutiny and questioning from others. The audacity of those who raise questions while failing to provide me with the necessary support is disheartening. However, I draw strength from my children and my husband. I will continue to fight for him as he vigorously fought for others,” said Nargis with determination.
The couple’s communication is limited to five-minute phone calls thrice a week. “We don’t get to know each other’s well-being properly. He is diabetic with high blood pressure issues. His spirit remains unbroken despite the challenges and custodial torture he faced. He is innocent. I take immense pride in my husband and the other political prisoners, and I am honoured to be his wife,” Nargis proudly said.
The repercussions of Khalid’s arrest have been deeply felt with relatives and friends distancing themselves from the family. “His arrest has isolated us in such a way that people avoid visiting or calling us with the fear of phone tapping and surveillance of our home,” her voice lowered in disappointment.
Khalid’s absense has made it challenging for Nargis to single-handedly manage the household responsibilities and with financial difficulties. She has depend on the support of Khalid’s friends to sustain the family. “His once thriving tours and travel business has been utterly destroyed. I find myself completely dependent on others for covering my children’s tuition fees and managing essential household supplies,” said Nargis in grief. She continued that the business partners have distanced themselves from us. They never answered the calls.
Different posters demanding the release of Khalid Saifi, a political prisoners | Courtesy: Facebook/Nargis Khalid Saifi
Children Matured Before Time
As Khalid’s stay in jail gets longer, their young children have matured and learned to cope with the family’s difficulties. Nargis has to spend hours in Courtrooms and her absence, Yasa (14), the eldest of three kids, shoulders responsibilities such as cooking food and taking care of his siblings. “My kids have stopped going to relatives or attending functions because of stupid questions like, “Do you miss your Abbu?” It becomes a painful reminder amplifying their mental trauma. They are managing things by looking at my struggles. They had to grow up before time,” said Nargis, the mother of three children. The once cherished tradition of summer trips and weekend strolls, which Khalid lovingly organized, now remains a distant memory for Nargis and her children.
Maryam (9), the youngest child shares a close bond with Khalid. “She was just 6 years old when Khalid was arrested. It was challenging for her but now she is at least satisfied that her Abbu has done nothing wrong. Besides, the other two Yasa and Taha (13), have been an active part of protests,” informed Nargis.
February 26, The Fateful Day
Nargis recounted the day of her husband’s arrest. She said that Khalid was having breakfast when his phone abruptly rang, delivering the distressing news of a police attack at the protest. Citing the violence I dissuaded him from going but he reassured me, “Nothing will happen. I’ll be back.” Moments later, a group of people rushed to our home, informing me that Khalid had been arrested. His phone had been switched off. Initially, I held onto the hope that he had been merely detained.
Late at night, Khalid called from an unknown number. There was palpable anguish in his voice, unlike anything I heard before. He conveyed that he was brought to Karkardooma Court and was transferred to Mandoli jail. “Just come to meet me tomorrow,” he said in a strained voice. The next day, I saw him in a wheelchair, bearing the marks of brutal torture. My heart sank with the gravity of his situation,” Nargis’s voice got heavy.
Khalid was walking when he was arrested by the police near the Khureji Khas protest site on February 26. He was brought in a wheelchair to Karkardooma court for a hearing on 11 March resembling custodial torture. “It is going to be a long battle. You must remain courageous and patient. Nobody will support me. Do not shed tears. Do not cry,” Nargis recalled Khalid’s words.
Mother of Khalid Saifi, demanding the release of her son | Courtesy: Facebook/ Nargis Khalid Saifi
Media Trial, The Worst Trauma
Nargis vividly recalls the distressing memory of Khalid’s alleged torture in custody where he was deprived of proper medical care, leaving his wounds to heal on their own. However, the media trial around Khalid’s case was the most devastating blow for Nargis and her children. “They broadcasted images of my husband on television with a label of terrorist. We immediately disconnected the television connection to this day. My 6-years-old daughter was asking questions. Although my children didn’t need much explanation because they have seen their father fighting for others just for the sake of truth and justice. My family was immensely disturbed and retreated ourselves within the confines of our home,” said Nargis. She continued that we removed social media and even stopped attending gatherings. In fact, people disconnected themselves from us after this media trial. “If it wasn’t Covid then this media trial may have taken any turn on us,” rued Nargis.
Activist’s Bail Order Reserved Since January
Advocate Tamanna Pankaj told eNewsroom that Khalid’s bail order is reserved since January, and the lawyers have moved a fresh application in the High Court to present additional arguments based on parity, given that the matter has been disposed of by the Supreme Court. The next hearing is scheduled for July 7th. “While I maintain faith in Allah there remains a sense of fear due to the prolonged delay in the legal proceedings,” said Nargis.
According to the advocate, Khalid has been granted bail in FIR 44/2020 in which he was allegedly subjected to torture at the Jagatpuri Police Station and obtained both bail and discharge in FIR 101/2020 which was related to the Khajuri Khas case. Currently, FIR 59/2020 is pending which involves charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
The Delhi Police Crime Branch filed chargesheets against 15 individuals under FIR 59/2020, which pertains to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The chargesheets were related to the Delhi riots in 2020 which led to the death of 53 people including 38 Muslims and 15 Hindus. The riots broke out on February 23, 2020, in Northeast Delhi allegedly after the hate speech by BJP leader Kapil Mishra.
Khalid, In The Eyes Of A Friend
Advocate Tamanna, also a close friend of Khalid, was associated with United Against Hate (UAH) where she met him, a remarkably chilled person. Khalid bhai, as she fondly calls him. “He will hang out with you. He offers cigarettes and makes smoking companions. The first thing he will ask is do you smoke? He often delivers his messages to Nargis bhabi through me. Even, I love you, without hesitation. Tere Liye Koi Parchi Ki Zaroorat Nahi Hai (You don’t need a note),” as he always says,” Tamanna said with laughter.
Tamanna mentioned that Khalid bhai remains calm, always wearing a smile on his face regardless of circumstances. He consistently assists others and strives to ensure everyone receives proper representation. Khalid Bhai helped many people when he was free. Now people are reciprocating by aiding his family.
And wife Nargis, a fighter summed up, by saying, “Khalid Mere Liye Hain Aur Mein Unke Liye Hoon. Hum Dono Ke Pas Is Time Bas Itna Hi Hai Aur Kuch Nahi (Khalid is for me, and I am for him. At this moment, that’s all we have and nothing else).”
Kolkata: The last remains of Major General Harry Kleinbeck Pickett, one of America’s most highly decorated officers who served in both World War I and World War II, is set to return home to the United States for reburial at Arlington National Cemetery. Following his death in 1965 during a visit to Darjeeling, West Bengal, Major General Pickett was laid to rest in a local cemetery. In a collaborative effort between his family and the US Government, close coordination has taken place with Indian counterparts to facilitate the repatriation of his remains.
Melinda Pavek, the US Consul General in Kolkata, emphasized the primary objective of US government public servants to safeguard and support American citizens. Reuniting Major General Pickett with his beloved family in the United States, the country he valiantly defended in both World Wars, is considered a privilege and an honour. Pavek expressed gratitude for the support received from the Government of India and the state of West Bengal, which played a crucial role in making his return possible.
Commissioned into the United States Marine Corps in 1913, Major General Pickett achieved the extraordinary distinction of serving with distinction in both world wars. During World War I, he played a pivotal role in the capture of the German cruiser SMS Cormoran in Guam in April 1917. Twenty-four years later, as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor, he and his fellow Marines courageously engaged Japanese warplanes during the infamous surprise attack on December 7, 1941.
The American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata worked diligently alongside S. Ponnambalam, the District Magistrate of Darjeeling, and John Pinto International funeral services to locate Major General Pickett’s grave site in Darjeeling. Eventually, the Singtom Cemetery was identified as his resting place. With the assistance of the Special Secretary, Home & Hills Department, West Bengal, the necessary approvals for the exhumation were obtained.
The approval granted by BP Gopalika, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal, has paved the way for Major General Pickett’s remains to be transported to the United States this month. The United States government expresses profound gratitude to all those involved in the arduous process. Noteworthy individuals who contributed to the endeavour include Arunima De (Special Secretary to the Government of West Bengal), S Ponnambalam (District Magistrate, Darjeeling), the Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Darjeeling, the Executive Office, Darjeeling Municipality, the Executive Health Officer, Rev. Father Patrick Pradhan of the Cemetery, Darjeeling, and Father Paul D’Souza, whose invaluable assistance ensured the successful exhumation.
Pavek underscores this accomplishment as a testament to the strategic partnership between the United States and India, as both nations are stronger when they support their citizens. The forthcoming reburial at Arlington National Cemetery will serve as a final tribute to Major General Harry Kleinbeck Pickett’s remarkable service and unwavering dedication to his country across two momentous conflicts.
