Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 18:04:21 -0500
From: Partha Banerjee <partha-AT-capital.net>
Subject: My reply to the "Bride burning conference" organizers


Here is my email reply to Mr. H. B. Thakur (cc'd to Dr. Micheal Witzel of
Harvard), the conference organizer and sponsor. I sent him this reply in
response to his "invitation" to me today, Nov. 12. He asks me to submit my
paper via overnight mail by the 16th of November.
___________________________________

Dear Mr. Thakur,

I...t does not leave me enough time to send you the paper in any form
before the 16th. Today is the 12th.

Unless you provide me with extra time, it would not be possible for me to
attend the conference.

I would very much like to hear from you regarding Mrs. Maneka Gandhi's
presence as the inaugural speaker and the presence of Vishwa Hindu Parishad
speakers at the conference.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its parent organization RSS symbolize
social and political power that represents oppression on weaker sections of
the Indian society including women. Just very recently, VHP thugs went on
an "exorcism" rampage on women in the state of Gujarat and manhandled
workers of NGOs who opposed that barbaric ritual. Previously, RSS, BJP, and
VHP leaders supported suttee during the infamous Roop Kanwar case in
Rajasthan.

In my newly published book (published from Delhi), I have shown how
anti-women RSS, BJP, and VHP are. In fact, dowry deaths could not have been
such a menace in India had these forces not been so powerful in the
epicenter of the problem, i.e., the "cow belt."

It is beyond belief that they are now trying to project themselves as the
saviors of the suffering Indian women. I find that a travesty.

Thanks for your attention and consideration.

-Partha Banerjee

_____________________

>To:
>
>Mr. Partha Banerjee
>
>Dear Mr. Banerjee,
>
>Dr. Michael Witzel has forwarded your letter to him on the above
>subject.
>
>I appreciate your willingness to speak at the Conference. Please send me
>by Postal Express Overnite Mail your article/paper/presentation so that
>I may receive it here on or before November 16, 1998. The postal mailing
>address is:
>Himendra Thakur
>ISDADABBI
>P.O. Box 8766
>Salem, MA 01971
>
>Please do not use Fedex or other carriers who cannot deliver at a post
>office mail box.
>
>Please confirm receipt of this e-mail letter by an e-mail reply to
><hthakur-AT-shore.net>. Please also send by an e-mail to me a one-line
>caption of your proposed article/paper/presentation, and also a brief
>summary/abstract if available.
>
>As regards the other points raised in your letter, I shall write to you
>later.
>
>Thanks.
>With the best wishes,
>Himendra Thakur
>Chair, Board of Directors,
>International Society Against Dowry and Bride-Burning in India, Inc.
>
>Postal mailing address:
>ISADABBI
>P.O. Box 8766
>Salem, MA 01971