OpEd – Page 2

OpEd

The other pandemic: Special criminal laws – Deccan Herald

July 3, 2020

For decades, we have been told that the necessity of special criminal laws in India arises due to the inefficacy of the ordinary criminal justice legislation we have. We have … Read More

OpEd

Manipur, J&K record maximum number of cases under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – The Hindu

June 25, 2020

More than 35% cases registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were recorded in Manipur, as per the National Crime Records Data (NCRB) provided by the Home Ministry … Read More

OpEd

Arrested activists: 67% ended in acquittal or discharge under UAPA Act – Business Standard

June 25, 2020

Two-thirds of trials completed under a 51-year-old law used to arrest five human rights activists recently ended in acquittal or discharge in 2016, the latest year for which national crime data are … Read More

OpEd

Acquittal in UAPA a long legal battle for prisoners – Deccan Chronicle

June 25, 2020

Since 2013, there has been a spike in the jailing of those accused under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveals … Read More

OpEd

Human Rights Now in India – Telegraph (editorial)

June 7, 2020

The European Parliament has reminded the Indian government that in times of a pandemic, “prisoners of conscience” should be released. Who defends in India the rights of the defenders of … Read More

OpEd

Amit Shah’s ‘Bhima Koregaon Model’ Used For Anti-CAA Protests – NDTV

May 25, 2020

The recent arrests of Jamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha and two JNU students, Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, both activists with Pinjra Tod, shows that the union home ministry is … Read More

OpEd

Misuse of UAPA by Union Government during COVID Pandemic – NewsClick

May 2, 2020

We, a group of activists and citizens of India, express our deep concern over the recent arrests on the false pretext that have been taking place using the regressive Section … Read More

OpEd

The Making of the Modern Public Intellectual – Hindu

May 2, 2020

Public intellectuals should be respected because they speak out against injustice wherever it occurs. Read more

OpEd

Tariq Ali’s Golden Butterfly: A Hidden Lament for Today’s India – NewsClick

April 30, 2020

As totalitarianism intrudes into our lives in India, with journalists, activists, authors, poets and students being treated like criminals, recall George Orwell’s prophetic words: “Poetry might survive in a totalitarian age, and certain arts or half-arts, such as … Read More

OpEd

One More Step To Dismantling Democracy – Youth Ki Awaz

April 26, 2020

A few days back, Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navalakha were arrested by the NIA under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on the occasion of 129th birth anniversary of B. … Read More

To
The President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan,
New Delhi, India.

Your Excellency,

We, the academics and activists of South Asian origin from across the world, as well as our international allies engaged with and concerned about India write to add our voice in support of Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar, Secretary of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS). We research and teach the histories and emancipatory struggles of marginalized communities in India. Therefore, we are fully aware of the importance of educational opportunities provided by the Indian government to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Every year from March15 to April 14, coinciding with the birthdays of Kanshi Ram and Dr. B.. R. Ambedkar, Dalits across India celebrate Bhim Diksha. This year, on March 15, 2021, Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar participated in Bhim Diksha and the organizers recited the pledge of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar recited at the time of his conversion to Buddhism. Some vested interests recorded the pledge and started a smear campaign against Dr. Kumar, labeling him anti-Hindu. Even though he has distanced himself and stated that as a responsible administrator and citizen of the country, he stands by the constitutional values of inclusion, attacks on him are continuing in social media and other platforms, to the extent of demanding his removal.

Please read the full statement and support it with your signature!

Compassionately strong statement from Bishop Michael Curry, the First African American Presiding Bishop of the over 500 year old Episcopal Church. Pointing to the connections between Dalits and the African American communities in the USA, Bishop Curry calls for concerted action towards justice for all as he condemns the atrocities against women, and Dalits in India.

“I realize the powerful parallels between Dalit struggle (and African Americans') for equal dignity and equal rights, and justice under the law, their work to create a humane and just society.”

“Much of the Dalit struggle is similar to our work here as African Americans and people of color in the United States ... God did not make us to be under anybody’s boot. We are created equal.”

UPDATE: Despite an application in the Supreme Court of India for the postponement of the arrest of human rights activists Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha, on grounds that incarceration during the Coronavirus crisis is a virtual death sentence, especially given their age and state of health, the Supreme Court of India refuses the request and demands “surrender” by April 14.

10810_2020_0_1_21590_Order_08-Apr-2020

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For more info. go to: Bhima Koregaon: SC Grants One More Week To Navlakha & Teltumbde To Surrender