Mir Jafar Awards

The Mir Jafar Awards were spoof awards awarded in 2007 by the Dalal Foundation, a coalition of activist groups against environmental and human rights violations, corporate crime and state repression in India. The key organisations involved were the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal and The Other Media (New Delhi). The ceremony drew attention to the ongoing controversy over the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and violence in Nandigram and Singur.

These awards were presented to individuals who, in the foundation's opinion, commit or abet such activity, in particular politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats. The awards were presented to individuals wearing masks representing the awardees, as the real ones were apparently disinclined to attend the satirical ceremony.

The Mir Jafar Awards are named after Mir Jafar, the 18th Century Nawab of Bengal, India, who conspired with the British East India Company to overthrow Siraj-ud-Daulah. The foundation compares the awardees' use of neoliberal policy and capitalism to Mir Jafar's conspiracy.

Individual awards are also named sarcastically and satirically.

The awards are not based on any objective criteria, but are meant to highlight issues given importance by the foundation and the roles of the awardees in these issues. All implications and exposes are supported by evidence recovered by the activists.

The first awards ceremony was held at New Delhi on 11 August 2007.

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