, Sep 3 (IANS) Various Hindu organisations observed a total bandh in Deesa town to protest forceful conversion of three members of a Hindu family. They are demanding that the administration should bring back the three members and reunite them .
The Hindu organisations had given the bandh call, while traders, APMC shop owners, thousands of youth and citizens joined the rally in support. Hindu leader Kailashbhai told the local media,
Phillibhai leading a Dalit rights rally
By Martin Macwan
[inputs: Gagan Sethi]
It was the month of May 1976 and I had just appeared for the old SSC board exams. A friend of mine in Nadiad had asked me to join him in a training program on social awareness to be held in Mount Abu. It is here in the building called ‘Glen View’, a Jesuit house, where I met Prof. Pheroz Contractor, called by all by his pet name, ‘Phillybhai’.
Phillybhai was a professor teaching economics at St. Xavier’s college, Ahmedabad. The other trainers with him were Fr. Jose Maria Heredero, a Professor of Political Science and Prof. B. B. Siddiqui, a professor in Psychology. In few days to follow they were going to resign from the ST. Xavier’s College, even though they were 35 years of age around and set up one of the prestigious organization within the St. Xavier’s college campus; the Behavioural Science Centre (BSC).