In a letter with over 150 signatories, the charges against Teltumbde were called fabricated and the case a severe human rights violation.
New Delhi: Over 90 organisations, 50 institutions and intellectuals Noam Chomsky, Jean Dreze, Sukhdeo Thorat, Vimal Thorat, Cornel West and Chirstophe Jaffrelot have written to UN secretary general Antonio Guterres asking him to intervene and withdraw the ‘fabricated charges’ against Anand Teltumbde. In total, the letter has over 150 signatories.
The case against Teltumbde – who is accused along with ten other activists and lawyers of links with the Naxalites and involvement in the Bhima Koregaon violence – is “one of the severe most human rights violations” against freedom of speech and dissent, they said.
They pointed out that Teltumbde was not even present at the Bhima Koregaon event on December 31, 2017 and criticised the Pune police for producing “fabricated letters”.
“We therefore urge the United Nations to engage with the Government of India to immediately withdraw all charges against Dr. Teltumbde and oblige in serving justice and protecting democracy from the perils of tyranny. We appreciate an opportunity to meet yourself and your team in person at your earliest convenience and present our concerns,” the letter said. Read more…