Friends,
We are a group of concerned citizens comprising of doctors, advocates, scientists, researchers, economists, writers, artists, social and rights activists. We have floated an organization called Global Rational Alliance for Public Health (GRAPH). It is the culmination of a consistent effort spanning over several months to look into the social, economic, medical and human rights perspective of the paradigm that emerged in the wake of COVID 19. We stand for a rational and humane approach to public health. We oppose a skewed approach involving the management of a single disease at the cost and perils of the entire public health system. We uphold the fundamental rights enshrined in our present constitution and autonomy over our own body. We condemn imposition of any form of mandatory health measure. We also believe that right to live with dignity is inviolable and cannot be taken away by any decree or mandate.
We are witnessing lockdown in it’s various forms and intensities. The lockdown which was described by a world famous group of epidemiologists as a " luxury of the rich" is essentially inhuman and destructive in nature. It has hit very hard the poorest sections of the society. Businesses and commercial activities on digital platforms are being given unfair advantage at the cost of local and small businesses. The complete shutdown of public transport has not only disrupted the local supply chain, it has inflicted irreparable damage to our social, economic and cultural lives. The school going children were driven to an uncertain and dark future. We demand complete withdrawal of lock down with other such repressive measures. We also demand alternative policy measures to recover the huge loss already sustained by the people.
In spite of the fact that COVID vaccines are voluntary, which was reiterated in a number of RTIs, many local authorities and owners of private establishments are forcing individuals to get vaccinated. We are shocked to learn that the Govt of West Bengal has issued a press statement on further continuing of partial lockdown and categorically ordered that only vaccinated people will be allowed to enter into their workplaces and public parks. This is not only violation of our fundamental right of free movement, it is clearly a coercive measure that may usher in a regime of medical apartheid. In fact, the state govt has pitched for mandatory vaccination for construction workers. Our worry is that the people belonging to informal sector will be the most vulnerable section at the start of this vaccine mandate. In the latest govt. press statement it was said that all productions units and industries including IT and ITES may function with 50% capacity subject to vaccination and other covid measures. This is in flagrant violation of the declaration of the position of Govt. Of India in a number of RTI responses, one such reads: “Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary, therefore, no one can be deprived of any kind of Government service/facility/schemes due to not taking COVID vaccines.”
We are calling upon your organization to get united on a common minimum agenda and raise our voice against this irrational, unscientific and undemocratic measures in the form of mass awareness campaigns. Untill the lockdown is fully lifted, we can continue our campaign, webinars etc. on digital platforms.
Date: 17June, 2021
With Regards,
Dr. Bhaskar Chakraborty,
Convenor, GRAPH