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Violence by anyone cannot be justified: Binayak Sen

— PHOTO: K.K. Najeeb

SHARING HIS VIEWS: Human rights activist Binayak Sen addressing the inaugural function of the Vibgyor-Mazhavilmela 2010 in Thrissur on Wednesday.

Thrissur: Human rights activist and national vice-president of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Binayak Sen has urged the Union government to stop the armed offensive in Central India in the name of Operation Green Hunt.

He was addressing a meeting organised by PUCL here on Wednesday. “Violence cannot be justified whether it is perpetrated by the State or by Maoists. Military confrontation cannot solve any social problem,” he said.

Later, inaugurating the Vibgyor-Mazhavilmela 2010, a festival of documentaries and short films, he called for protests against conditions that may lead to widespread famine and genocide in the country.

“Last year, when the Vibgyor-Mazhavilmela was on, I was in jail and my wife attended the festival to campaign for my release. I then received support from people at the national and international levels. But mine is not an isolated case. Thousands of people are incarcerated in India for reasons unknown to them and for reasons considered by the State. Their incarceration has nothing to do with any culpable action of theirs,” he said.

London-based filmmaker Ruhi Hamid said that cinema should fulfil an important social role by documenting ordinary people and their extraordinary stories.

“Cinema is indeed powerful. It should document the struggles of women who seek equal rights in societies and minorities whose voices are not heard. I would be happy if my films inspire or influence activists and decision-makers.”

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