7th Nov, 2022: The coastal fishing community is on a struggle path against the disastrous International seaport which is being built at Vizhinjam by Adani ports. The port has resulted in coastal erosion leading to the disappearance of coasts and the destruction of houses in the fishing villages. The dredging in the port will result in the loss of local fishing habitats leading to the destruction of the livelihood of thousands of fishing families and their displacement from the coasts.As the coastal community’s sit-in protest continues against the distress caused by the Vizhinjam Adani port gathering solidarity and support at the state level, corporate-backed media such as News 18, Janam TV, Desabhimani, Kerala Kaumudi are now resorting to blatant lies and misinformation against the protest and protesters. As a part of this, attempts have been made to slander Ms Aleyama Vijayan who is the founder trustee of the feminist organisation Sakhi women’s resource centre and has been working for women’s empowerment for the past three decades, along with AJ Vijayan, who has been working as a trade unionist and researcher in the fisheries sector since 1980.It is accused that Sakhi, a women’s rights organisation based out of Thiruvananthapuram, which has no direct affiliations with the protest committee, is receiving foreign contributions for the protests. They have already issued a defamation suit against the media for spreading misinformation and rumours. The details on the Sakhi website show that all their activities are transparent. We support this legal suit and wish this organisation to operate smoothly in the future.The attempt to portray the struggle as a foreign conspiracy through funding is malicious and an insult to the fishing community who is fighting against the port and its sponsors. We request that all people who believe in democracy protest against this false propaganda. This slander campaign is done together with attempts by vested groups to create communal issues and problems of law and order on the coast, to divide the fishing and host communities in the name of religion. We urge the government, masses and civil society groups to positively intervene to keep communal harmony and peace.The fisher folks in Vizhinjam, under the leadership of Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archdiocese, have been protesting for the last 105 days, raising seven demands, including stoppage of the construction of the seaport in Vizhinjam and a complete study on the impact and damages by the port by an independent team of experts including people representing the fisher community.The rest of the six demands from the formation are:(1) Find a sustainable solution to coastal erosion on the Thiruvananthapuram coast due to the unscientific constructions in the sea, including that caused by the Vizhinjam port construction.(2) Provide temporary rental accommodation to people whose houses were destroyed due to coastal erosion.(3) Plan and implement reasonable policies to rehabilitate the people who have lost their land and houses.(4) Intervene to revoke the kerosene price hike; provide subsidised kerosene following the neighbouring state Tamil Nadu model.(5) Provide minimum wages to the fisher folks to compensate for the loss on the days of fishing weather warnings.(6) Find sustainable solutions to the problems instead of temporary ones. The claim that all the demands have been more or less accepted by the government has been debunked by the Convener of the protest committee, Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archdiocese, Fr. Eugene Pereira, in a press conference on October 31st, 2022.It is undemocratic that, instead of fulfilling their obligation to settle the strike, the ruling government is resorting to covert attempts to tarnish coastal communities and overturn their struggle.We strongly condemn attempts by certain media houses to malign civil society organisations and vilify A J Vijayan, who has been researching and writing on the eco-social impacts, the unscientific nature of the project and the contract irregularities. He has been doing so since the period of the environmental impact study during the UDF regime, which initiated the Adani port project with special interest. We believe it is essential to have independent research and scientific studies on the impact of the port on coastal communities, and any such studies should be encouraged.We urge the government to settle the Vizhinjam issue urgently by arriving at a reasonable and sustainable solution and defending the rights of fishing and coastal communities.Vizhinjam Struggle Solidarity Committee, KeralamSocial Movements, Concerned Citizens Persons, Social Organizations
1. Aflatoon, Samajwadi Jan Parishad2. Ammu Abraham, FAOW & PUCL Maharashtra (E.C.)3. Anand Patwardhan, Film Maker4. Anjali Bharadwaj, Collective Delhi5. Arundhati Dhuru, National Convenor, National Alliance of Peoples Movements6. Ashok Choudhary/ Roma , All India Union of Forest Working People7. Avinash Kumar , Former Director, Amnesty International India.8. Aysha, Right to Food Campaign9. Chandana Pusapati, Dakshin Foundation10. Delhi Solidarity Group11. Devaki Jain, Economist, Writer12. Dr. John Dayal, Writer, Human Rights Activist13. Dr. Ram Puniyani, National Solidarity Forum14. Dr. Suneelam Ex MLA15. Dr. Syeda Hammed, Former Member Planning Commission16. Evita Das – Pakistan India Peoples’ forum for peace and democracy17. G Devarajan, Gen Sec All India Forward Bloc18. Gabriele Dietrich Movement for Womrn’s Rightss19. Geeta Seshu, Co-Editor, Free Speech Collective20. Gutta Rohith, Human Rights Forum21. Indian Social Action Forum – INSAF22. Joy Sinha – COLLECTIVE Delhi23. K Babu Rao, HRF, President, Hyderabad City24. K P Sasi, Activist Film Maker25. K. G. Jagadeesan trustee Centre Gandhi Smark Nidhi26. K. J. Joy, Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India, Pune27. K. Sajaya, Women & Transgender Orgs JAC, Hyderabad.28. Kalyani Menon – Sen, Feminist researcher/activist29. Krishnakant (NAPM, Gujarat)30. Leena Dabiru, Anhad, Delhi31. Madhu Bhushan, Women’s rights activist, Bangalore32. Madhuri, Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan Madhya Pradesh33. Medha Patkar, Narmada Bachavo Aandolan34. Meera Sanghamitra (National Alliance of People’s Movements), NAPM35. N.D.Pancholi, Citizens For Democracy, Delhi36. Nityanand Jayaraman, Writer, Social Activist. Chennai Solidarity Group. Chennai37. Pradip Chatterjee, National Convener, National Platform for Small Scale FishWorkers38. Priya Dharshini, Finanical Accountability Network India39. Prof. S. P Udayakumar, Anti nuclear activist40. Prof. Sandeep Pandey, Writer, Social Activist41. Prafulla Samantara, Environmentalist, NAPM42. Ranjit Sur, APDR43. Sandeep Pandey Socialist Party (India)44. Soumya Dutta, Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha45. Subhash Lomte, Swaraj India46. Tapas Das, National Convenior, Nodi Bachao Jibon Bachao Andalon47. Vidya Dinker, President, INSAF48. Vihaan Vee – Ambedkarite, Queer Feminist Activist49. Xavier Dias, Editor, Khan Kaneej Aur ADHIKAR (Mines minerals & RIGHTS)50. Yash, Let India Breathe51. Yugma Collective52. A Sunil Dharan, Motilal Nehru College (Delhi University)53. A.Suneetha, Independent Researcher, Hyderabad54. Alaka Basu, Researcher55. Amod Shah, PhD Researcher56. Asha Achy Joseph, Dean, SH School of Communication, SH College, Thevara, Kochi57. Brinelle Dsouza, Chairperson, Centre for Health and Mental Health, TISS58. Chhaya Datar Ex-professor of Women’s Studies in TISS59. Devika, feminist scholar60. Dr . K.P Rammohan, Economist61. Dr. K. G. Tara, Former Head, Disaster Management Centre62. Dr. Karuna DW,63. Dr. Mary George, Economist64. Dr. P. A. Azeez, Salim Ali Centre For Ornithology And Natural History65. Dr. T. G. Jacob66. Frans Manjali, Prof. Linguistics, JNU67. Hariprasath R, Researcher68. Jashodhara Dasgupta, Independent Researcher69. Kochurani Abraham, feminist theologian, Kerala70. M. Dasan, Dalit Thinker71. Maggie Allessu, Vidhyadeep college, Gujarat72. Nandita Narain, Associate Professor, St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University College73. Nivedita Menon, Professor JNU74. Padma Velaskar ,Professor (Retd) TISS75. Prof. Iris76. Prof. Janaki abraham,77. Prof. Kusum Joseph78. Prof. Sanil V79. Prof. Vida Sequeira (Retired)80. Prof. Vindo Chandran81. Rakhi Sehgal, Researcher, New Delhi82. Rita Paes Retired Professor83. Rohini Hensman, writer and researcher, Mumbai84. Seethalakshmi, Independent Researcher and Activist85. Shilpa Parthan, PhD student, University of Illinois Chicago86. Shweta Wagh, Associate Professor, KRVIA. PhD researcher IIT Bombay87. Soma K P, Independent researcher88. Swati Birla, University of Massachusetts Amherst89. Trisha Gupta, University of Oxford90. Vineetha Venugopal, ResearcherPoets, writers and solidarity from Kerala Groups91. B Rajeevan, Cultural critic92. Binitha Thampi, Poet93. C Radhakrishnan, Novelist94. Damodar Prasad, Journalist95. Dr. Ambikasuthan MangadAcademicians / Writers96. Fr. Jose Kaliekkal ,97. Hameed Vaniyambalam, state president welfare party98. Joseph Jude, Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) state vice-president99. K Ajitha, Feminist activist, Anweshi100. K. Sahadevan, writter101. Kalpatta Narayan, writter102. KG Sankarapilla (KGS), Poet103. Kumar Kalanand Mani, Save the Western Ghats Movement104. Kuripuzha Sreekumar, Poet105. Pandavath Baburaj, Activist Film Maker106. S Rajeevan, K Rail Virudha Jankeeya Samara Samiti107. Sarath Cheloor, State Coordinator, NAPM- Keralam108. Savithri Rajeevan, Poet109. Sridhar Radhakrishnan , Kerala Paristhithi Aikya Vedhi110. V Dinakaran , Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha111. Vijayaraghavan Cheliya, State Convenor, NAPM KeralamSolidarity from across the country112. A.K. Shibu raj113. Abha Bhaiya, Jagori Rural, HP114. Adv K V. Bhadrakumari115. Adv Pyoli Swatija116. Adv. John Joseph117. Adv. Joseph Paull118. Adv. Vinod Payada119. AK Jayasree120. Alaka Basu121. Allwyn Dsouza122. Amit Singh123. Amrita Shodhan124. Anil E.P125. Anita Cheria, Bangalore126. Anitha Ruban127. Anitha Shanti Treewalk128. Anna SJC Social Activist.Karnataka129. Annette Fernandes MBBS130. Annie Director131. Annie Jaise, Kerala132. Anthony Dias133. Anuradha Pati, Bangalore134. Aparna, Social worker135. Aruna Gnanadason, Chennai136. Asha G, Trivandrum137. Astrid Lobo, Mumbai138. Fr. Baby Chalil139. Balkis Bano, Trishur140. Beatrice Joseph141. Berguman Thomas142. Bhubaneswar143. Bittu K R, Karnataka Janashakti144. Brinda Adige, Bengaluru145. C.S. Murali shankar146. Cecilia Crasta147. Celine Paramundayil MMS, Kerala148. Chakradhar, Samalochana149. Clara Mendonca, social worker150. Clare M. Therese, Chennai151. clare muthukattol152. Cynthia Stephen, Bangalore153. Cyrilla Chakalakal Mumbai154. Debaprasad Ray, Secretary, Lohia Academy, Bhubaneswar155. Deejao Pathrose156. Deepa V, Delhi157. Devika, Advocate158. Dorothy, Social Activist159. Dr. C. Jayakumar, Thanal160. Dr. C. Surendranath161. Dr. E. Unnikrishnan162. Dr. Joyce Kaithakottil, Activist for Justice163. Dr. Mangesh Sawant Environmentalist164. Dr. Mercy Thomas Facilitator Nirmal Jyothi ITI165. Elizabeth Vadakekara MMS, Kochi, Kerala166. Elsa Muttathu, Chenn167. Flavia Agnes, Mumbai168. Flory Menezes169. Fr Benny, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala170. Fr Dr Jose D. Maliekal SDB, Telengana171. Fr Joseph, Vicar, St Joseph Church Konoor Ekm Diocese172. Fr Thomas173. Fr Varghese Assin, Manager, St Francis Assisi School, Nedumbassery..174. Fr. Agustine Vattoli175. Fr. Deepak Anto176. Fr. George Thenadikulam, Kerala177. Fr. Kurian Kurisunkal, Mulanthuruthy178. Fr. Lawrence179. Francis Xavier, supporter180. Freny Manecksha181. General Secretary, AIFB Odisha , Bhubaneswar182. George Mathew183. Glavious Alexander184. Gopinath Haritha185. Govind Kelkar, GenDev, Gurgaon186. Gracy Kallookulangara187. Growth Watch188. Hasina Khan, Bebaak Collective189. Hazel D’Lima, CRI, ICWM190. Hazel Lobo, Mumbai191. Holiram Terang. Political activist.192. Immaculate.F.193. Indira Hirway, Centre for Development Alternatives,194. Jabeena Irshad195. Jacob Naluparayil, Kochi, Kerala196. Jacqueline Rumao. Jeevan vidya.197. Jaison Coopur198. James Dayalaya199. Janaki Nair, JNU200. Jashodhara Dasgupta, Delhi201. Jesmine Fernandes202. Jessica Prakash-Richard, Chennai203. Jessin SJC204. Jessy Mole Sebastian, Changanacherry, Kerala205. Jibin Robin206. Jinu Sam Jacob207. Joanna, Social Worker208. John Dsouza, Mumbai , Documentalist209. John Peruvanthanam210. Johnson Puthenveettil, Director, KLCA, Alleppey Diocese211. Jolly Chirayath212. Jose Therattil213. Joseph Kannamkulam214. Joseph Maniangat215. Joseph Victor Edwin, Delhi216. Josephine Rozario217. Joycia , New Delhi218. Jubin Jacob, Kanjirappally, Kerala219. Julia George, Adv, Mumbai220. Jyoti Ranjan Mahapatra221. K. Ajitha222. K. C. Sreekumar223. K. Ramachandran224. K. Sahadevan225. K.G. Jagadeeshan226. K.M. Thomas227. K.P. Sethunath228. K.P.Thomas, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala229. Kalyani S.230. Karavali Karnataka Janabhivriddhi Vedike.231. KB Kannampilly232. KCR Raja, New Delhi233. KhalidaParveen234. KM Sebastian, Eluru, A.P235. Kochurani Abraham, Kanjirappally, Kerala236. Kusum Tripathi237. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, 238 Lakshmi Lingam, Hyderabad238. Lanusenla Bangalore239. Leela Soloman240. Leena Abraham, Mumbai241. LEVIN242. Lisa Pires, Goa243. Lumina da Costa, citiizen of Indiaendorse244. M D Varghese, a freelance Eco-Social Development Advisor245. M. Dasan, Dalit Thinker246. M. Sulfath247. M.D. Alice, Kochi, Kerala248. M.K. George249. Madhuri Mondal, programme officer250. Magdalene Almeida251. Mahu Bhushan, Bangalore252. Manju Kulapuram, Activist, Delhi253. Manju Kulapuram, Delhi254. Manoj Kedaram, Social Worker255. Manu256. Marcia DCunha ICWM Thane Maharashrea257. Marcia DCunha, Mumbai258. Mary Vaiphei, Assam259. Mathew Sebastian260. Mavis Russell, Gurgoan261. Meera RGS, Mysore262. Mekronyi-u Thele, Nagaland263. Mercy Alexander264. Merlyn Dsa, Mumbai265. Metti Amirtham,Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu266. Mini Bedi267. Mirsad Rahman268. Moksha Mary- Anmol NGO Co-ordinator269. Monisha Behal, NEN270. Ms. Vanitha D’Souza271. Mujahid Nafees, Ahmedabad, Gujarat272. Muralidharan K, political activist273. Muthapan274. N Sarojini, SAMA, Delhi275. N. Subramanyan276. Namrata Lunia277. Nancy Vaz, Mumbai278. Nancy Vaz, Mumbai279. Nandita Gandhi, Akshara Centre, Mumbai280. Naseer Syed, Bangalore281. Neerja Rajeev Prasad. Nagpur282. Nikita Naidu, Climate Action283. Nirmala284. Nita Arvind, Scrum Master285. Niti Saxena, Lucknow286. Noela J Dias287. Noella de Souza, ICWM, IWTF, CRI.288. Noella de Souza, Mumbai289. Om Prakash Singh, Cuttack290. P k Sasidharan291. P.T. John292. Padmaja Shaw293. Paniyadima John294. Philomena D’Souza, Satyashodhak, Mumbai295. Philomena….Provincial296. Prabhat Sharan, Journalist297. Prajval Shastri, astrophysicist298. Prasad Chacko, Social Worker, Ahmedabad299. Preeti Mehra, independent journalist, New Delhi300. Prema Chowallur SCC301. Prerana Gawde, Senior Programme Associate302. Promod Puzankara303. Pushpa Parmar304. Pyoli, Advocate305. Raj Shekhar, Right to Food Campaign306. Rajesh307. Rajnish Gambhir All India Union of Forest Working People308. Raju kalathil,Advocate309. Ramnarayan, Independent Ecologist310. Raynah Marise Braganza Passanha, Pune311. Renita312. Rev. Indira Paul, Chennai313. Rev. Raju P George314. Rita Manchanda, Independent Rights Consultant315. Robert Joseph, Teacher316. Robi Arayakkandy. CPI(ML).317. Rohini, Writer318. Rosalind Elaiyarani319. Rosamma George320. Rosamma Thomas321. Rose Mary Tirkey ( Social Worker)322. Roshmi Goswami, Shillong.323. Runu Chakraborty324. S. Rajeevan325. Sabina Martins326. Sachin Chavan,327. Salahudheen Ayyoobi, Writer328. Sandeep kaithamparambat, artist329. Sandeep Ravindranath330. Sandhya Balasubramanian, Member – Growthwatch India331. Santana Pereira, Sahayini NGO332. Santosh Sharma333. Sarah Mathews. Managing Trustee, Sankalp Women’s Support Alliance334. Sarath Keeraleeyam335. Sarojini N, Public Health Practitioner336. SAshalatha337. Seema Bhaskaran338. Shalini Gera, Advocate339. Shalom Gauri, student340. Sharad Lele, ATREE341. Shivsunder342. Shweta Tripathy, SRUTI, New Delhi343. Sister Poonam cj.344. Sr Aruna Castelino /Director of Auxilium Out Reach345. Sr Maria Shirsath, Teacher346. Sr. Elphina Rodrigues347. Sr. Mary Jacintha. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Congregation348. Sr. Melusina Colaco – religious349. Sr. Rita D Souza – prov adminstrator350. SR. Rita Fernandes351. Sr. Thelma Paiva352. Sr.Anita gracias animated353. Sr.Marina Kalathil354. Sreedevi S Kartha355. Sreekala MG, Goa356. Sridhar Radhakrishnan357. Stella Baltazar fmm, provincial358. Sudhir Pattanaik, Editor , The Samadrusti359. Suneeta Dhar Activist360. Sunirose, I. P361. Sunny Paikada362. Suresh Melettukochy.363. Suresh Rathaur mmu364. Susan Joseph, Social Worker365. Swarna bhat, social Activist366. Swatija Paranjape367. T N Sushama, Freelance writer368. Tamizharasi369. Thresia370. V.S. Anil Kumar371. Vaishnavi- independent labor rights activist & journalist372. Vandita, Morarka (founder and CEO, One Future Collective)373. Vaneeta khristi374. Vanita Mukherjee375. Varsha Bhargavi, Where Are The Women Collective376. Veena Maruthur377. Vijayan Punnathur Retiree378. Vishesh Guru, anthropologist
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