Mukul Sinha
| Mukul Sinha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
February 10, 1951 Kolkata |
| Died |
May 12, 2014 (aged 63) Ahmedabad |
| Fields | Plasma Physics |
| Institutions | |
| Alma mater | IIT Kanpur |
| Spouse | Nirjhari Sinha |
| Children | 1 |
Mukul Sinha (1951–2014) was a physicist and a lawyer in Gujarat High Court at Ahmedabad, India. He was an active trade union leader and a prominent human rights activist. He was the co-founder and president of Jan Sangharsh Manch, an independent civil rights organization to address issues of laboureres and workers as well as a vocal critic of Narendra Modi.[1]
Biography
He was born in Kolkata. He completed his undergraduate studies at Bilaspur and graduated from IIT Kanpur[2] in physics. He joined Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad in 1973 for the doctoral research, he joined the same institute followed by the same. in plasma physics. He is survived by his wife Nirjhari Sinha and his son Pratik.[3] According to his wishes, his body was donated to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.[4]
Early Activism
He was attracted to social activism upon the event of expulsion of workers at PRL in 1978. He organized the workers to fight for their life. However, he paid the cost of the same by losing his job in 1979. He co-founded Jan Sangharsh Manch under the aegis of New Socialist Movement and organized group of lawyers and individuals from various professions to work pro-bono on various issues of a common-man ranging from trade-unions, housing, environment, natural calamities, civil rights etc.[5][6] He completed his degree of law in 1988 and joined the Gujarat High Court in 1989. His recommendation on 2001 Bhuj earthquake entitled “Kutch Quake Profile”[7] resulted in an injunction from the court to incorporating earthquake resistant structure in the state.
2002 Gujarat Riots
Gujarat state witnessed deadly communal violence against the minority Muslim community immediately followed by Godhra train burning incident.[8][9] With JSM he participated in the Government of Gujarat appointed Nanavati-Mehta Commission to seek justice for the victims.[10] As a party, he managed to receive mobile phone 'call data records' (CDR) submitted by Indian Police Service officer Rahul Sharma (Gujarat police). Thorough analysis of the same enabled lawyers, activists and victims to cite the data, implicating a number of political leaders and police officers. Call data records of Maya Kodnani along with Babu Bajrangi were a crucial evidence corroborating to the claims by the victims of the Naroda Patiya massacre. Ultimately the special court convicted them for their role.[11] He established Truth of Gujarat web site to address various issues related to communal violence and socio-political struggle.[12]
Politics
He contested Gujarat Assembly elections for two times. Once under the banner of his own political party New Socialist Movement[13] in 2007 and as an independent candidate in 2012. The former was fought from a Muslim dominated constituency Shahpur and latter was from Sabarmati in Ahemdabad, however, he badly lost elections securing handful votes.[14][15]
References
- ↑ "India election: what kind of PM will Narendra Modi be?". The Week. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "Noted Activist and Lawyer Mukul Sinha Dies". New Delhi Television Limited. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "Gujarat riots activist Mukul Sinha dies at 63". Mint. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "Lawyer, social activist Mukul Sinha passes away".
- ↑ Janmohamed, Zahir. "At a Memorial, Hundreds Pay Tribute to a Gujarat Human Rights Champion".
- ↑ "Young 'hero' behind new Dalit movement". The Telegraph. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "IMD admits error in calculating quake epicentre". The Express Tribune. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "rediff.com: Fifty-eight killed in attack on Sabarmati Express".
- ↑ "rediff.com: 30 persons burnt alive in Ahmedabad".
- ↑ "Irreparable loss, Noted lawyer and activist Mukul Sinha passes away". Milli Gazete. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "Gujarat riots: How IPS officer Rahul Sharma exposed rioters".
- ↑ "Mukul Sinha, who fought for 2002 riot victims, succumbs to cancer". 13 May 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "The Man Who Keeps Knocking". Outlook. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ "Final Election Result, Shahpur constituency" (PDF). Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- ↑ "Final Election Result, Sabarmati constituency" (PDF). Retrieved 21 October 2016.