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Over the last 20-30 years, the civil rights movement in India has emerged as an autonomous voice in defense of civil liberties and democratic rights of our people. The Peoples Union for Democratic Rights, Delhi, is one such organisation. It came into existence in 1976-77 as the Delhi unit of a larger national forum, and became PUDR on 1 February, 1981.
In the last two and a half decades of its existence the organisation has taken up hundreds of instances of violations of democratic rights, covering most parts of the country and involving the rights of many sections of society. PUDR conducts investigations, issues statements, distributes leaflets, organizes public meetings, demonstrations and dharnas, and fights legal cases to highlight the violation of peoples rights, and to help towards their redressal. PUDR also takes up issues of general importance that affect the rights of people through general campaigns, publications and legal interventions. These include: gender equality; rights of forest-dwellers and forest policy; working class rights; agrarian conflict; caste oppression; deaths, rapes and torture in police custody; and undemocratic legislation, in particular the various incarnations of the 'terrorist act' (TADA and POTA) etc. PUDR is actively engaged in legal defense of civil liberties and democratic rights. It has taken up hundreds of cases in the last two decades, including many of constitutional importance, such as the Asiad labour petition which opened the doors to public interest litigation in India. PUDR is an entirely voluntary organisation. Members are not paid for their time, and funds are generated entirely from sale of its literature and from small donations. PUDR does not accept foreign funds, or funds from any institutional funding agencies, foreign or national. There are many democratic rights and civil liberties organisations in India, who work closely with each other. Apart from PUDR, there is the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC), the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights, (APDR), West Bengal, the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, (PUCL) and many others. We hope that you will join us in the cause of protecting and extending democratic rights and civil liberties in India, in whatever way you are able to.
Note: PUDR is a non funded organisation which exists on sale of its publication and contribution. Please either subscribe or contribute to donation through cheque/draft favouring PUDR of not more than Rs 2000. Contribution not accepted in foreign currency. |
