Teesta Setalvad case is part of emerging scenario of India's ruling govt "targeting" rights defenders

By Our Representative
The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), the apex body of tens of people's organizations and NGOs across India, has demanded withdrawal of “false cases” against Teesta Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand and their associates in the by now famous Gulbarg Society Case. Demanding “justice for riot victims and survivors and space and security for human rights defenders", the NAPM, in a strong statement, said, it is “deeply disturbing” that the Gujarat High Court has refused the anticipatory bail applications of rights activists Setalvad and others.
“We strongly feel that the High Court could have meticulously examined the extensive submissions put forth by Teesta, before rejecting the bail application, seeking dropping of charges. We also express our discontent with the sweeping observations (click HERE to read) made in the Order against social justice groups”, the NAPM, in a signed statement by Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar and tens of others said.
“Although there is temporary respite with the intervention of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court today, it is a matter of extreme anxiety that ‘armed’ with the High Court’s order, the Gujarat police is keen to immediately arrest Setalvad and others for 'custodial interrogation',” the statement said.
“We hope the Supreme Court will appreciate the overall circumstances of the case, merits of the High Court’s order and observe as to whether at all there is any need for “custodial interrogation” of the bail applicants, at this stage of the legal process”, it pointed out.
The statement recalled, “It has been widely acknowledged that the Setalvad and other activists with the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) and the Sabrang Trust withstood the might of the Gujarat state for more than 12 years and fearlessly stood with the victims and survivors of the gruesome riots, since 2002.” It said there is “constant political vendetta by the ruling party, at the behest of communal outfits in the state is no hidden secret.”
“NAPM is also worried at the increasing scenario of the present government targeting rights activists, by making unsubstantiated allegations of financial irregularities and demand a halt to this approach”, the statement said, adding, “We call upon all peace-loving citizens, people’s organizations and political parties to voice their protest and seek fairness and justice to the activists fighting relentlessly for the cause of Gujarat riot victims.”
The statement demanded “full justice and rehabilitation to the riot-survivors who are having for wait endlessly for years from a very ‘concerned state’, which does not see the need of vigilante groups.”

HC order "unfortunate": Cedric Prakash

It is separate statement, Father Cedric Prakash, a Gujarat-based human rights activist, has said it is “extremely unfortunate” that the anticipatory bail application filed by Setalvad, her husband Anand and three others of Gulberg Society – Tanvir Jafri, son of slain MP Ehsan Jafri, Feroz Gulzar, secretary and Salim Sandhi, chairman of the Gulberg Society -- has been rejected by the Gujarat High Court.”
Prakash, who is a trustee of Setalvad-led Citizens for Justice and Peace, said, “All are aware that the charges are extremely flimsy and fabricated and are surely politically motivated. In their response, Setalvad and the others provided the High Court with extensive, comprehensive and irrefutable evidence as to why they should be given anticipatory bail and the charges be dropped.”
“When those who stand up for truth and justice and are human rights defenders are subject to such blatant harassment, intimidation and even arrest, one surely needs to wonder where the country is heading?”, he asked, adding, “We are convinced however that truth and justice will ultimately triumph even if one has to struggle very hard in such a vicious environment.”
---
For point-by-point rebuttal of Gujarat police charges by Teesta Setalvad click HERE

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog