BeyondHeadlines News Desk
Bangalore: Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, a well known social activist and human rights defender working among the most downtrodden and marginalized community in Varanasi has been selected to receive the M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award 2016 of the Vigil India Movement, Bangalore.
A three member Jury consist of Hon. Justice Shri. Santosh Hegde, (former Judge, Supreme Court of India) Mr. Akbar Mirza Khaleeli, (former Ambassador of India to Iran and other countries and Board of Trustee of VIM) and Dr. Cherian Thomas, (Director of Ecumenical Christian Centre and Secretary & Trustee of VIM) unanimously selected Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi for the award from among the nominations received from various parts of the Country.
Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, has contributed immensely to protect the rights of dalits, tribes and indigenous people in Varanasi. He is the founder of Peoples Vigilance Committee on Human Rights in 1996 and through this organization, he is constantly involving in the people’s struggles in ensuring the rights of marginalized community, particularly the dalits and adivasis. Mr. Lenin’s contribution to protect and promote human rights is greatly acknowledged by several institutions and national and international level.
Vigil India Movement instituted the M. A. Thomas National Human Rights Award in 1994 in memory of its Founder President Late Dr. M.A. Thomas. The Award with One Lakh of Rupees and a Citation will be presented to Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi at an award ceremony to be held in September 2016 in Bangalore.
