Workshops on Screen play writing – 1st to 3rd October 2024
Budhan Theater and Nomad Films organized a three-day screenplay writing workshop in Ahmedabad, facilitat ed by renowned writer-directors Avinash Das and Dakxin Bajarange. Hozefa attended the workshop along with three volunteers. The sessions were participatory and emphasized collaborative learning.
Participants were divided into teams, each tasked with developing a story beat for a short film. Hozefa ’s team successfully prepared a first draft of their story beat, which they shared with the other participants on the final day. Over 30 participants joined the workshop from various parts of Ahmedabad, as well as from Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Himachal Pradesh.
Waqf Amendment Act – Awareness Program – 5th October 2024
Jan Adhikar Manch and Nisulk Margdarshan Kendra organized a meeting in Modasa, followed by another in Himmatnagar, to deepen understanding of the Waqf Act’s history, legal framework, and recent amendments, aimed at counte ring misinformation spread by certain groups. Convened by Meerkhan Makrani, the session featured expert Hozefa Ujjaini, who provided a detailed overview of the Act, covering the evolution of Waqf laws, the responsibilities of Waqf trustees, and the social role of Waqf institutions.
Hozefa clarified misconceptions around recent amendments, emphasizing their purpose to enhance Waqf governance. Meerkhan Makrani also provided insights into practical issues faced by the Waqf Board, particularly in registering properties and resolving Waqf-related disputes. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, underscoring the importance of accurate documentation of Waqf properties. Over 25 community leaders attended the session.
Mob Lynching case of DNT youth – 23rd October 2024
A 21-year-old DNT (Denotified Tribes) youth from the Dabgar community was mob-lynched on the allegation of mobile theft. The mob gathered, stripped the young man, and killed him. Atish Indrekar informed us to meet with the community to file the case. We formed a small team of young lawyers, including Atish Indrekar, Chirag, Sunny, and two others, and met with the police to file the FIR. The police lodged the FIR under charges of murder, rioting, and other relevant sections.
A small meeting with the community was also held, where we discussed the case proceedings and the upcoming legal formalities. After this, the community agreed to take the young man’s body, which they had initially refused to do until the complaint was lodged. Another team including APCR, president Advocate Shamshad pathan and Imtiazbhai also met the police inspector of Vatwa police station in the evening for the same matter and taken assurance of fair legal proceedings.
Citizennagar Film Festival
A plan for a two-day film festival in collaboration with Drishti and Global Media Makers has been initiated. The event will be held on November 16 and 17 at Citizen Nagar, a locality in Ahmedabad where survivors of the 2002 communal violence reside alongside a larger Muslim ghetto. This area, adjacent to Ahmedabad city’s massive garbage dump, has been the focus of documentaries produced in recent years with support from Buniyaad and others. Following up on this work, filmmaker Debalina proposed hosting the festival at Citizen Nagar, which has now been finalized.
The program will include a screening of selected films that highlight these critical issues, along with a small skit performed by our team. Throughout the month, several meetings were held to finalize locations, secure permissions, and complete poster designs and mobilization efforts for the event.
Theater Workshop
An eight-day theater workshop, in collaboration with Sanskruti Samvad, was planned and designed this month. The workshop will take place from November 10 to 17, 2024. The structure and schedule has developed collectively, and several resource persons have been contacted to participate. Multiple meetings were held to finalize the schedule, workshop design, poster creation, and to coordinate the call for entries. So far, 15 participants have confirmed their attendance.
Participation
- Participated in the APCR state meeting on October 20, 2024. The meeting aimed to announce APCR’s ongoing work and to establish the committee for the APCR Gujarat chapter.
