IMC-USA urges West Bengal Govt. to prevent deaths in Murshidabad
Indian Muslim Council-USA is alarmed at the reports of deaths due to starvation in the Murshidabad region of the Indian state of West Bengal.
IMC-USA is outraged that in spite of efforts by many Muslim leaders such as Dr.Zafarul Islam Khan of Milli Gazette the state government has been very slow to provide effective relief. Thousands of people might die because of the criminal negligence of the governments of India and West Bengal.
Almost a century ago millions of people died of starvation in Bengal because the British colonial government did not care much for the brown-skinned occupied people. It is a shame that the governments of Bengal and India are treating the starving Muslims and Dalits of Murshidabad as less than human.
IMC-USA is urging all people of conscience to contact the governments of India and West Bengal and urge the officials to provide immediate, effective and lasting relief to the starving population.
IMC-USA is urging its supporters to donate generously to help the starving people of Bengal. Indian Muslims Relief and Charities is in the forefront of relief efforts and tax deductible donations can be sent through IMRC.
ACTION ITEMS:
* Please contact the following officials in India, by Phone and/or email.
Prime Minister of India
Dr.Manmohan Singh
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi, India-110 011.
Telephone: 91-11-23012312.
Fax: 91-11-23019545 / 91-11-23016857.
e-mail: Click here
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Mr. Sharad Pawar Cabinet Minister
Telephone: 91-11-23383370,
91-11-23782691
Fax:23384129
Chief Minister of West Bengal
Hon. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee
e-mail: cm@wb.gov.in
Phone: 91-33-22145555/45588
Fax : 91-33-22145480
Chief Secretary, Govt of West Bengal
Mr. Asok K. Gupta,IAS
e-mail: chiefsec@wb.gov.in
Phone: 91-33-22145858/4328
Member Secretary, West Bengal Minorities Commission
Mr. Maqsood Alam, IAS,
Phone: 91-33-24792895
Fax : 91-33-24398592
Secretary, Co-operations
Mr. Nurul Haque, IAS
e-mail:seccop@wb.gov.in
Secretary, Minorities Development
Ms. Jaya Dasgupta, IAS
e-mail:scomdw@wb.gov.in
TALKING POINTS:
* India has a surplus food production and grains are rotting in FCI godowns.
* It is unbecoming of a nation aspiring to the UNSC permanent seat to allow its citizens to die of starvation and hunger.
* There is no widespread famine in the region, it is the indifference of the Government of West Bengal to prevent the gradual deterioration of livelihood that resulted in this tragedy.
* The government should take immediate action to rush basic supplies to avoid any further deaths.
* Plan and provide long-term rehabilitation of the affected villages in the region.
* Donate to charities working in the area to facilitate speedy relief to the surviving victims.
