By TCN News,
Aligarh: Drawing the arc of abuse across decades and across regions, Vrinda Grover, Supreme Court advocate and Human Rights activist, sought to explain how state records attempt to create an official but highly partial narrative of these incidents to erase the truth from public memory.
Speaking as a keynote speaker at the 10th IG Khan Memorial lecture, Grover then enlightened the audience with inspiring stories of the families and communities of the victims of these abuses who continued to struggle, demanding answers, demanding the truth and demanding justice.
Vrinda Grover delivering the tenth IG Khan Memorial Lecture
Grover spoke at length on the theme of ‘Why Remember’ touching on the issues of memory, reconciliation and forgetting in relation to human rights abuse in India across several decades. Grover detailed several cases of human rights in the country.
She spoke about the atrocities ranging from the Hashimpura and Malyana riots, disappearances in Kashmir, extrajudicial killings in Manipur (Manorama rape case), Ishrat Jahan case, etc. as she explained how state records attempt to create an official but highly partial narrative of these incidents to erase the truth from public memory.
The main takeaway from Grover’s speech was the pressing need for the informed citizen to not forget the lived reality of the victims of these abuses and to continue asking pertinent questions, hold institutions accountable and eventually not forget.
Panel discussion on Memory and Reconciliation, with journalist Hartosh Singh Bal and lawyer Warisha Farasat, with Prof Vijapur of Dept of Political Science, AMU
The other speakers at the event were Jawed Naqvi, journalist, who spoke of the need to remember the rights of Dalits and other marginalized sections of society. Professor Parvez Talib of Department of Management Studies delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the CSEC.
The 10th IG khan memorial lecture was conducted on March 14, 2015 at Kennedy Auditorium, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The event was organized in collaboration with the Cultural Education Centre, AMU, with the Club for Short Evening Courses.
In the afternoon there was a panel discussion on the theme of ‘Memory and Reconciliation’. Lawyer Warisha Farasat spoke about her work in Bhagalpur where ordinary people and unsung heroes continue to strive for justice through legal process.
Journalist Hartosh Singh Bal spoke of the 1984 riots in Delhi and how justice was necessary for reconciliation. Professor Vijapur of the Department of Political Science chaired the panel discussion.
The IG Khan Memorial Trust was established in memory of the slain historian and teacher Dr IG Khan. Professor Khan taught at the AMU and worked with cycle rickshaw pullers and others in need in the city. He was murdered on February 14, 2003 in an act of senseless violence.
The IG Khan Memorial Trust was established by his friends and family to continue the work close to his heart. The Trust works in the area of education for economically disadvantaged children, as well as providing medical aid and facilities to those in needs.