CONSTITUTION OF the Sampradayikta Virodhi Andolan Adopted at the Founding Conference, Delhi, January 22-23, 1989

CONSTITUTION OF the Sampradayikta Virodhi Andolan or Movement Against Communalism (SVA); Adopted at the Founding Conference, Delhi, January 22-23, 1989,  and amended at the Annual Convention, Delhi, 1990

PDF FILE: http://www.sacw.net/IMG/pdf/SVA-Constitution.pdf

NB : This document was adopted after lengthy discussion amongst a large number of concerned citizens from all walks of life. The SVA's activities had begun in 1984, with a mass protest demonstration in Delhi on November 24, against the carnage of Sikhs following Indira Gandhi's assassination. (The demonstration was blacked out by the mainstream press). In 1988 its members decided to build a formal organisation in order the better to conduct the public movement against communalism. A meeting was jointly convened under the auspices of the SVA and the People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) in November 1988. It was unanimously decided to call an inaugural convention - which took place in the Dewan Hall, Chandni Chowk, on January 22-23 1989

A number of students, teachers, journalists and trade-unionists and members of organisations including Vidya Jyoti, Saheli, Action India, Ankur, Alaripu and Nishant Natya Manch helped organise the convention. Comrades Satyapal Dang and Gursharan Singh, representing different streams in the communist movement, presided. Satyapal Dang's suggestions on the constitution were incorporated in the final document, as were suggestions from other participants, who numbered about 500 over two days. Read a short history here: A Brief History of the Sampradayikta Virodhi Andolan (SVA)

PDF FILE: http://www.sacw.net/IMG/pdf/SVA-Constitution.pdf

Preamble: The recent history of communal violence has convinced a large number of citizens of the need to organise systematic resistance to communalism in its various manifestations. Such resistance needs also to be grounded in a positive programme for communal harmony. The SVA is an organisation founded for meeting this need. Its perspectives are outlined in Part II of the constitution.

PART I 

1. Nature and Activities: The SVA is not a political party nor afront organisation of any political party. It seeks to build itself as a mass organisation open to all, irrespective of their political affiiliations and religious beliefs; devoted to fostering communal amity and combating communal trends both in the administration and society at large. It can address political issues and political organisations, but will take care not to digress from its central aim while doing so. Its activities are as follows:

1. The organisation of debate, both within and outside its formal structure, with the aim of clarifying and deepening its understanding of communal phenomena.
2 The publication and distribution of literature for broad and specified types of audiences. This will include pamphlets, journals, bulletins, posters, etc. Other types of media will also be used for publicising its viewpoint.
3 The organisation of various types of functions of a cultural or discursive nature, for arousing public awareness.
4 The mobilisation of public opinion and organisation of mass action on communally sensitive issues, of pressure on various levels of governmental administration to combat communalist tendencies within it or motivate it to take certain steps demanded by the SVA.
5. The establishment of contacts with various organisations: political, civil libertarian, or social, at a national or international level, with a view to popularising its perspectives and attaining its objectives.


2. Membership 

1 (a) Primary, formal membership of SVA will be based on an acceptance of the constitution and an affirmation that the member will work consistently to uphold humanist values and communal harmony, and will actively oppose, by peaceful means, all activities and state policies which may disturb communal peace or cause bitterness and violence among communities. Members will also state their opposition to any political programme which implies a communal definition of citizenship and/or a concept of national or state identity based on a single religious community. 

(b) Apart from primary membership, there will also be a category of Sahyogi membership, for those citizens who sympathise with its aims but cannot offer a high degree of participation in its regular work. Such members will give a formal affirmation of their sympathy and their offer to help and support the SVA.

Further rules of membership are as follows :
l. Members will be expected to perform a minimum level of work within the SVA in terms of carefully reading and commenting upon its documents, distributing literature, attending meetings of branch committees and of the annual convention. They will also undertake to perform other work which may be assigned to them on a basis of mutual consent. Membership will be renewed annually.
2. Members will enrol on an individual basis and their names must be proposed by other members. Present/future membership of other political, social or cultural bodies, or citizens action groups should be declared upon joining. Failure to make a full declaration of such membership could be the basis of cancellation of membership.
3. The process of co-option of new members will be defined and carried out by the branch committees and the co-ordination committee. All members have the right to propose enrolment of fresh members. 

4. Membership of the SVA may be cancelled on the following grounds : 
(a) concealment of the fact of affiliation to other organizations, (b) violation of the affirmation made upon enrolment, and (c) disinterest in the work of the SVA.

Recommendation of cancellation must be made by at least two members in writing, and the matter will be duly considered by the branch and co-ordination committee, after which the decision taken should be ratified by the annual convention. The membership will be considered suspended in the interim.


3. StructureAs a voluntary organization of anti-communal citizens, the SVA will have a federal structure with a co-ordination committee and branch committees. The branch committees shall have full autonomy to function within the SVA’s broad perspectives. The appointment to and functions of the C.C. shall be as follows : 
(a) The coordination committee shall consist of Sixteen members, including the treasurer/s. (b) Any two primary members can propose any other primary member for appointment on the c-ordination committee at the Annual Convention. The proposed member shall be taken as appointed on C.C. after ratification on the floor of the Convention... 

The Co-ordination Committee (CC) will entrust various responsibilities to specified sub-committees and/or individual members towards its collective responsibilities which are follows :
1. It will undertake necessary organisational initiatives. This will include the raising of funds and membership documentation.
2. It will maintain an information and communication; network of members within or outside the branches for the purpose of mutual co-operation.
3. It will issue statements on those important issues. which have communal implications whenever necessary.
Such public statements will not preclude the branches from adopting public postures within the broadly agreed perspectives of the SVA.
4. It will undertake the publication of an organisational journal/bulletin and the production of other educational materials.
5. It will organise the annual conference and render necessary support for the organization of branch committees. All committees will be expected to maintain records of their work, attendance of members, and meet regularly, at least twice a month.
6. It will continue to explore the possibilities of setting up units of the SVA in states other than Delhi...


Read the full document, including Part 2, the Perspective of the SVA
http://www.sacw.net/IMG/pdf/SVA-Constitution.pdf

SVA Press Statement dtd 24 October 1990, following the arrest of LK Advani

See also:

A Brief History of the Sampradayikta Virodhi Andolan (SVA)

Political Resolution of the Annual Convention of the SVA, Delhi, March 1992

Rethinking Secularism by Bhagwan Josh, Dilip Simeon & Purushottam Agrawal


Communalism in Modern India

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