CPDR Maharashtra

01/04/2019

Mumbai Rises To Save Democracy, a campaign of about 40 organisations, responding to the emergent situation of increasing attacks on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, right to dissent and on human rights defenders across the country, has released a People's Manifesto against State Repression, for Saving Democracy. Please share widely.





MRSD PEOPLE'S MANIFESTO
Against State Repression
For Saving Democracy

India has witnessed a drastic rise in attacks on human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, farmers, adivasis, RTI activists, students, academicians, workers, protestors etc. opposing anti-people policies of the government and protesting human rights violations. The constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech and expression, association and assembly are under severe threat. Several people across the country have been criminalized in false and fabricated cases. RTI activists, journalists, rationalists, protestors have faced brutal assaults, even deaths. The objective of these attacks is to crush dissenting voices and any kind of opposition against the state and its policies. Immediate steps are required to be taken to arrest the ongoing attack on democracy, to stop the attacks on dissenting voices and to protect and reclaim the democratic rights and constitutional freedoms of the people.

To achieve these ends, Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy (MRSD), a campaign consisting of about 40 organisations who came together in the wake of arrests, criminalization and targeting of activists and workers across the country in connection with Bhima Koregaon violence case, proposes the following minimum actions –

Bhima Koregaon violence case related

1. Immediate arrest and prosecution of Ekbote, Bhide and others from their groups responsible for conspiracy, hate incitement and violence against Dalits, local residents, visitors to the 200 year commemoration of Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018
2. Closing FIRs and unconditional withdrawal of charges against dalits, activists and protestors, who participated in protests on January 2, 2018 against the violence against Dalits, visitors to the 200 year commemoration of Bhima Koregaon battle on January 1, 2018 by the Hindutva leaders and groups
3. Immediate release of activists and workers arrested and falsely criminalized in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case and withdrawal of criminal cases foisted against them

Repeal of draconian laws and legislative changes

4. Repeal of draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) law and release of all those falsely implicated under UAPA
5. Repeal of draconian Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 i.e. sedition law and release of all those falsely implicated under sedition law
6. Repeal of draconian National Security Act (NSA) and release of all those falsely implicated under NSA
7. Repeal of draconian laws such as Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA), Disturbed Areas Act, Public Safety Act, Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and other such laws used to target dissenting voices and political opposition
8. Review and amend the provisions of the Indian Penal Code to ensure that they are in line with the best practices and international standards in the area of freedom of expression, repeal of provision for criminal defamation under Section 499
9. Make necessary amendments to the Right to Information Act, 2005 to strengthen and increase the scope of the Act to cover private companies and ensure access to information, increase accountability and ensure protection of RTI activists
10. Repeal or comprehensively amend the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), in line with the legal analysis of the former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Association and Assembly, particularly sections that restrict the ability of civil society organisations to receive funds from foreign sources and the cumbersome reporting and administrative requirements for civil society organisations
11. Abolition of capital punishment and all forms of torture
12. Ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), effecting of changes in domestic legislation to ensure compliance with the provisions of UNCAT and introduction of domestic law against torture and ill-treatment in line with the provisions of UNCAT
13. Introduce an act in the parliament, in compliance with international standards, to protect human rights defenders in the country
14. Introduce an act in the parliament to provide for comprehensive policy and programme on witness protection and rehabilitation
15. Introduce an act in the parliament to provide for protection of whistleblowers
16. Introduce legislation against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suits filed to intimidate and silence critics of big businesses and anti-people measures

Attacks on freedoms of speech, expression, association, assembly, Right to dissent

17. Stop the attacks on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech and expression, association and assembly
18. Stop the indiscriminate use of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and denial of permissions for protests, agitations and demonstrations
19. Stop the use of force on protestors and civilians including but not limited to firing, use of pellet guns, tear gas, water cannons, lathi charge etc. Ensure that security forces, including the police, abide by the United Nations basic principles on the use of force and fi****ms by law enforcement officials.
20. Uphold and guarantee constitutional freedoms and restore democratic spaces in the community for gathering and protest
21. Stop the crackdown on protestors, activists, civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers, students, academicians, workers, RTI activists, farmers, whistleblowers, adivasis, dalits, minorities etc. exercising their right to dissent and withdraw all actions, cases and proceedings filed against them across the country
22. Ensure implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Declaration on Human Rights Defenders). Explicitly recognize the right of everyone to protect and promote human rights and publicly support the important action of defenders, acknowledging their contribution to the advancement of peace, justice, equality, dignity, good governance and sustainable development. Ensure a safe and enabling environment in which human rights defenders are effectively protected and where it is possible to defend and promote human rights without fear of punishment, reprisal or intimidation.
23. Desist from imposing travel bans on human rights activists who intend to leave the country to engage with the human rights community, government and institutions abroad
24. Stop vilification of activists, dissenting voices and the distortion and manipulation of facts in an increasingly political and corporate controlled media
25. Promote free and independent media and ensure protection of media houses from vindictive action and vexatious litigations
26. Ensure unfettered access to online information resources by removing restrictions on access to national and international news websites and social media outlets and the websites of civil society organisations
27. Ensure that internet shutdowns and network blackouts are not undertaken to restrict people’s peaceful protests
28. Refrain from censoring social and conventional media and ensure that freedom of expression is safeguarded in all forms, including the arts

Rule of law, access to justice and human rights mechanisms

29. Ensure the strictest adherence to the rule of law and immediately put a stop to all forms of torture by the police, custodial killings, extra judicial / encounter killings etc.
30. Remove requirement for sanction to prosecute police officers, military personnel and public officials from all laws and take strictest action against erring officers
31. Effectively counter and put an end to the rule of the mob, hate crime, lynching and strictly prosecute cases of mob related violence and attacks by non-state actors
32. Initiate investigations into the spate of attacks on human rights defenders across the country and initiate / pursue actions against the perpetrators
33. Provide security, protection to human rights defenders who are at risk and their families and also to provide compensation, rehabilitation to human rights defenders and their families
34. Develop and implement programmes on human rights education and public awareness campaigns on importance of human rights and constitutional freedoms
35. Ensure that human rights institutions, like the National Human Rights Commission, are autonomous and independent and are avenues of justice for human rights defenders and victims of human rights violations.

MRSD is a campaign consisting of about 40 rights and civil society groups collectively fighting against state repression, draconian laws and stifling of dissent in civil society. MRSD was formed following a joint press conference called by rights groups on the raids and arrests of activists on 29th August 2018 in the Bhima Koregaon violence case, responding to the need expressed by activists and civil society organisations in Mumbai to come together to uphold constitutional freedoms and democratic rights and stand united in the fight against increasing intolerance, atmosphere of fear and repression. MRSD has since held several programmes in Mumbai to address these concerns.

Groups supporting the manifesto :

People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR),
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP)
New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI)
Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI)
Student Islamic Organisation (SIO),
Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), IIT
Police Reforms Watch
National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO)
Bebaak Collective
Forum Against Oppression of Women (FAOW)
L***A- A Q***r Feminist LBT Collective
Jagrut Kamgar Manch (JKM)
Majlis
Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD)
Women against Sexual Violence and State repression (WSS)
Bharat Bachao Andolan (BBA)
Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)
People’s Commission on Shrinking Democratic Spaces (PCSDS)
Human Rights Law Network (HRLN)
Cause Lawyers Alliance
National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)
Kashtakari Sanghatna, district Palghar.
Sarvahara Jan Andolan, district Raighad
Shramik Mukti Sanghatna, district Thane.
Human Rights Defenders Alert (HRDA)
Innocence Network
Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR)
Students of St. Xavier's
Students of Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS)
FTII Alumni
Lawyers Collective
Awaaz-E-Niswaan
Bastar Solidarity Network (BSN)
Satyashodhak Feminist Collective
Indian Christian Women's Movement - Mumbai Chapter
Nivarra Hakk Suraksha Samiti
Jagrut Kashtakari Sanghatana, Raigad
Justice and Peace Commission
SOAS India Society and Others

05/02/2019

27/10/2018

Press Conference Invite:

Saturday, 27th Oct, 2018
3 pm onwards
Mumbai Press Club

24/10/2018

Calling the order of the lower court granting extension of time to the Pune police to file a charge sheet against Surendra Gadling as ‘illegal’, Justice Mridula Bhatkar of the Bombay High Court quashed the Pune court order. Today’s order paves the way for Gadling and other activists to be rele...

15/10/2018

Talking about the history of various preventive detention laws in India, Advocate Mihir Desai of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) provided an unders...

10/10/2018

Please join us for "People Fight Back Undeclared Emergency", a People's convention against hounding of activists, demanding to Repeal the draconian law UAPA and to preserve Freedom of Speech. Please join in large numbers!!
Date October 12,
venue Dadar Matunga Cultural Centre
Time 5 pm onwards

08/10/2018

4 days to go for the people’s convention by over 40 rights and civil society groups. People fight back undeclared emergency on 12th October 2018 in Mumbai. Please share widely and be there to lend your support and to raise your voices against state repression!

30/09/2018

*PRESS INVITE*

*Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy (MRSD)*, a campaign by more than 30 Civil Society and Democratic Rights organisations invites you for a Press Conference on the Supreme Court Verdict in a PIL by Romila Thapar and Ors. against Arrest of Human Rights Activists across India in the Bhima Koregaon Case.

*Date : Monday, October 1, 2018*
*Time : 4 p.m. onwards*
*Venue : Mumbai Press Club, Mahapalika Marg, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001*

We, the below named civil society organisations/ groups/ collectives, are jointly convening an urgent Press Conference in light of the Supreme Court judgment, to draw attention to the on-going Bhima Koregaon Judicial Commission hearings, the failure of Maharashtra government in taking appropriate actions against accused named in the original FIR, Manohar Bhide and Milind Ekbote and to discuss the future course of actions.

We request you to attend and / or depute a reporter to cover the event.

*Organisations supporting MRSD*

1. People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
2. Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR),
3. Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP)
4. New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI)
5. Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI)
6. Student Islamic Organisation (SIO),
7. Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), IIT
8. Police Reforms Watch
9. Lokraj Sangathan
10. Spark magazine
11. National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO)
12. Bebaak Collective
13. Forum Against Oppression of Women (FAOW)
14. L***A- A Q***r Feminist LBT Collective
15. Jagrut Kamgar Manch (JKM)
16. Majlis
17. Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD)
18. Women against Sexual Violence and State repression (WSS)
19. Bharat Bachao Andolan (BBA)
20. Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)
21. People’s Commission on Shrinking Democratic Spaces (PCSDS)
22. Human Rights Law Network (HRLN)
23. Cause Lawyers Alliance
24. National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)
25. Kashtakari Sanghatna district Palghar.
26. Sarvahara Jan Andolan district Raighad
27. Shramik Mukti Sanghatna, district Thane.
28. Human Rights Defenders Alert (HRDA)
29. Innocence Network
30. Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR)
31. Students of St. Xavier's
32. Students of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
33. FTII Alumni
34. The Leaflet
35. Awaaz-E-Niswaan
36. Bastar Solidarity Network (BSN)
37. Satyashodhak Feminist Collective
38. Indian Christian Women's Movement - Mumbai Chapter

*PRESS INVITE*

*Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy (MRSD)*, a campaign by more than 30 Civil Society and Democratic Rights organisations invites you for a Press Conference on the Supreme Court Verdict in a PIL by Romila Thapar and Ors. against Arrest of Human Rights Activists across India in the Bhima Koregaon Case.

*Date : Monday, October 1, 2018*
*Time : 4 p.m. onwards*
*Venue : Mumbai Press Club, Mahapalika Marg, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001*

We, the below named civil society organisations/ groups/ collectives, are jointly convening an urgent Press Conference in light of the Supreme Court judgment, to draw attention to the on-going Bhima Koregaon Judicial Commission hearings, the failure of Maharashtra government in taking appropriate actions against accused named in the original FIR, Manohar Bhide and Milind Ekbote and to discuss the future course of actions.

We request you to attend and / or depute a reporter to cover the event.

*Organisations supporting MRSD*

1. People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
2. Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR),
3. Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP)
4. New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI)
5. Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI)
6. Student Islamic Organisation (SIO),
7. Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), IIT
8. Police Reforms Watch
9. Lokraj Sangathan
10. Spark magazine
11. National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO)
12. Bebaak Collective
13. Forum Against Oppression of Women (FAOW)
14. L***A- A Q***r Feminist LBT Collective
15. Jagrut Kamgar Manch (JKM)
16. Majlis
17. Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD)
18. Women against Sexual Violence and State repression (WSS)
19. Bharat Bachao Andolan (BBA)
20. Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)
21. People’s Commission on Shrinking Democratic Spaces (PCSDS)
22. Human Rights Law Network (HRLN)
23. Cause Lawyers Alliance
24. National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)
25. Kashtakari Sanghatna district Palghar.
26. Sarvahara Jan Andolan district Raighad
27. Shramik Mukti Sanghatna, district Thane.
28. Human Rights Defenders Alert (HRDA)
29. Innocence Network
30. Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR)
31. Students of St. Xavier's
32. Students of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
33. FTII Alumni
34. The Leaflet
35. Awaaz-E-Niswaan
36. Bastar Solidarity Network (BSN)
37. Satyashodhak Feminist Collective
38. Indian Christian Women's Movement - Mumbai Chapter

29/08/2018

29/08/2018

Condemn the unlawful arrest of activists. Press conference From Mumbai! CPDR, PUCL, CJP and others conduct Press Release on unlawful arrests

13/06/2018

“What is common amongst these people is that they raised their voices for questioning policies of the government and standing up for the marginalised and these arrests are a mode to remove these activists from circulation,” said advocate Maharukh Adenwalla.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/bhima-koregaon-arrests-violate-civil-liberties/article24147747.ece

Lawyers, activists say people arrested for questioning govt. policies; legal system heading for erosion

13/06/2018

Speaking on police allegations of Maoists funding the Elgaar Parishad, Justice (retd) Kolse Patil said the event was organised with limited resources. “This allegation is 100 per cent false. We didn’t incur any expenses there. The stage was set up by an institute that had hosted a function the previous night and we used the same stage,” he added.

He said the alleged letter, found by police, targeting PM Narendra Modi was a fake. “If the letter had such an important content, why no secrecy was maintained? How did It reach the BJP spokespersons, the media immediately after the court proceedings?’’ Justice (retd) Kolse Patil added. Shoma Sen’s daughter said the police did not inform her family where they were taking Sen and they learnt about the arrest only after 24 hours. “My mother was slated to retire next month and her colleagues were in the process of organising a retirement party. Amidst this came her arrest, which has left me shocked. The police came swooping down in the wee hours and took my mother in custody. They confiscated my parents’ phones and I was not able to contact them for over 24 hours. I am their only daughter. Injustice has been done to us and I smell a conspiracy here,” she said. When asked about the threat letter, Koel said that these were baseless allegations. “I am speechless. Where have the letters surfaced from? Who is the author of the letters? I am confident it won’t stand in a court of law,” Koel added.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/koregaon-bhima-four-of-five-arrested-have-no-links-with-elgaar-parishad-says-retired-bombay-high-court-judge-5215101/

Last week, the police had arrested advocate Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut and professor Shoma Sen from Nagpur, Sudhir Dhawale from Mumbai and Rona Wilson from Delhi claiming that they are suspected members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoists).

13/06/2018

Saying the five arrested are innocent, the group condemned the arrests and called the move "unjust", during a press conference. They have demanded unconditional release of the five, adding that they will be going for legal recourse.

Muzzling dissent?
Addressing the gathering, retired justice B G Kolse-Patil called the charges (against the five) "baseless". "We find these arrests and accusations defamatory. We have taken a stand against the present regime, and rightly so, which is not being tolerated," he said.

https://m.mid-day.com/articles/lawyers-activists-unite-demand-held-brethrens-release/19516182

Say arrest of the five, for alleged links with Maoists, is an attempt by those in power to get rid of anyone not in sync with the government

12/06/2018

PRESS NOTE



CONDEMN THE ARREST OF ADV. SURENDRA GADLING, PROF. SHOMA SEN, SUDHIR DHAWALE, RONA WILSON AND MAHESH RAUT BY THE PUNE POLICE!

CONDEMN THE ATTACK ON PEOPLE’S STRUGGLES!





On 6th June 2018 morning, the Pune police conducted multiple arrests from Mumbai, Nagpur and Delhi. Sudhir Dhawale, a leading organizer of the Elgar Parishad held at Shaniwar Wada, Pune on 31stDecember 2017, was arrested from his residence in Govandi. Advocate Surendra Gadling, a leading criminal lawyer and General Secretary, Indian Association of People’s Lawyers), was picked up from his residence in Indora, Nagpur. On the same day and time, the police landed at the residences of Dr. Shoma Sen, HoD, English Literature, Nagpur University (Executive Committee member of Committee for the Protection of Democratic Rights, Maharashtra), and Mahesh Raut, anti-displacement activist and they were arrested from their houses in Nagpur. At the same time a team from Pune arrested Rona Wilson, Public Relations Secretary, Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners, from his residence in Delhi. All five were produced before the Pune Additional Sessions Judge, Special Court, Shri Baisare on 7th June and were remanded to police custody till Thursday14th June.



Adv. Surendra Gadling was produced at 5 a.m. before the same Court, thus ensuring that there would be no lawyers to represent him. The police however called one of their own lawyers to ‘represent’ him as a ‘legal aid’ lawyer! Adv Gadling’s health required him to be admitted to Pune’s Sassoon Hospital on the 7thitself and when his health deteriorated he was moved to the ICU there. In order to avoid being answerable for his health condition, the Pune Police promptly applied for his judicial custody remand. It is shocking that once again he was not allowed a lawyer of his choice when there are dozens of lawyers from Nagpur and Pune who wish to represent him.



While in ICU, Adv Gadling was kept handcuffed to the bed in gross violation of Supreme Court directions in this regard. Meanwhile Adv Gadling has been moved from Sassoon Hospital to Pune’s Yerawada Prison at 3-00 pm on 11th June, 2018, despite his wife’s requests to wait for his reports before transfer. She fears a major health problem as the reports which came later indicate a need for diabetes treatment that has not been prescribed.



There are many shocking aspects too these arrests. First of all, the arrests have been carried out in Crime No. 4 of 2018. This crime was registered by Vishrambaug police station Pune under sections 153-A, 505 (1)(b), 117 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The offence was registered on 8th January 2018, eight days after the Elgar Parishad on 31st December, blaming the Parishad organizers for the violence committed the next day against the predominantly Dalit congregation at Bhima Koregaon, over 40 kms from the Elgar Parishad programme site. The arrests were carried out six months later.



Secondly, the police have expanded the charge by saying that not only was Elgar Parishad responsible for the violence but that those behind the Parishad were Maoists and the arrests of these five persons are to show their alleged association with Maoists. A closer scrutiny of the allegations reveals a larger attempt by Centre and State Governments through the Pune police to attack people’s struggles that are criticising or challenging the present regime. By doing so, the attempt is clearly to shield those responsible for the attack on dalits on 1st January 2018, led by Manohar Bhide and Milind Ekbote. This has been the consistent demand of theBhima-Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerna Abhiyan spokespersons, including its Convenor, Justice (Retd.) P.B. Sawant (Supreme Court) and Justice (Retd.) B G Kolse-Patil, the umbrella organization of 260 organisations which held the Elgar Parishad on 31stDecember 2018. Sudhir Dhawle, a leading member of the Abhiyaan has been arrested while Ekbote and Bhide are roaming free.



Thirdly, from 7th June 2018 onwards, the Pune police have been systematically leaking fabricated letters alleged to have been seized from the accused which is in violation of the orders of the Bombay High Court . The Pune police are also attempting to target Opposition parties such as the Congress and the Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharip. Even vocal critics of the Government such as Jignesh Mewani, Umar Khalid and Varavara Rao have been targeted and are now receiving death threats. In fact these fabricated letters mention every possible opposition leader from all over the country and also makes a sensational claim about a “Rajiv Gandhi-like incident” (with obvious reference to PM Modi) so as to create a frenzy of pseudo-nationalism keeping in mind the 2019 elections. This despite directions of the Bombay High Court in a 2014 judgement and a subsequent circular issued by the Maharashtra government disallowing police personnel and public prosecutors from such disclosures till filing of the chargesheet. Such leaks have the effect of denying a fair trial to the persons falsely implicated in serious offences.



The undersigned therefore condemn these arrests and defamatory and illegal leaks to the Press by the Pune police, and demand the unconditional release of Adv Surendra Gadling, Prof Shoma Sen, Sudhir Dhawle, Rona Wilson & Mahesh Raut.



Justice (Retd.) B G Kolse-Patil (Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Diwas Prerna Abhiyan), Indira Jaising, former Addl. Solicitor General, Supreme Court of India, Mihir Desai, Senior Advocate, (PUCL, Maharashtra), Adv. Maharukh Adenwalla (CPDR), Bilal Khan (NAPM), Abhirr Palat (Amnesty India), Feroze Mithiborwala (Bharat Bachao Andolan), Sadiq Qureshi (B K S D Prerna Abhiyan)



Dated: 12th June 2018

Press Club

Mumbai

11/06/2018

*INVITE FOR PRESS CONFERENCE*

CONDEMN THE ARREST OF ADV. SURENDRA GADLING, PROF. SHOMA SEN, SUDHIR DHAWALE, MAHESH RAUT AND RONA WILSON BY THE PUNE POLICE!

To condemn these arrests and attack on people’s struggles, the undersigned have organized a “Meet the Press” on Tuesday 12th June 2018 at 3pm at the Press Club, CSMT, Mumbai.

Justice (Retd.) B G Kolse Patil (Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Diwas Prerna Abhiyan), Indira Jaising, former Addl. Solicitor General, Supreme Court of India, Mihir Desai, Senior Advocate (PUCL, Maharashtra), Adv. Maharukh Adenwalla (CPDR), Bilal Khan (NAPM), Abhirr Palat (Amnesty India), Feroze Mithiborwala (Bharat Bachao Andolan), Sadiq Qureshi (B K S D Prerna Abhiyan)

23/04/2018

CPDR Condemns Police Raids on the Houses of Organisers of Elgar Parishad at Pune

While Dalits have been still struggling to get the culprits who engineered attack on the peaceful congregation of Dalits on 1 January 2018, the Maharashtra Police under the instruction of the BJP Government has taken a shameful step to raid the houses of the activists who organized the peaceful Elgar Conference at Shaniwarwada, Pune on 31 December 2018 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaonof 1818. As a matter of fact, the convenors of the Conference were Justice P B Sawant and Justice B G Kolse Patil, the respected names in the state of Maharashtra. And more than 250 Ambedkarite and progressive organizations were its organizers. In this context to target a few select activists is utterly condemnable.

Today, at about 6 am teams of 8-10 policemen each descended down on the houses of Sudhir Dhawale and Harshali Potdar, activists of Republican Panthers in Mumbai, Ramesh Gaichor and Sagar Gorkhe, artists of Kabir Kala Manch in Pune and Advocate Surendra Gadling in Nagpur and activist Rona Wilson in Delhi. Reportedly, the Police formed six teams and spanned off to the houses of above activists. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, as reported in the newspapers has made it clear that this is the decision of the Centre to investigate Naxal connections in the dalit movement. However, it appears that the Bhima Koregaon related FIR is being used by the police to indiscriminately raid the houses of any activists as Rona Wilson and Surendra Gadling had not gone to Pune to attend the Elgar Parishad nor to Bhima Koregaon.

It was a known fact in Pune that the Hindutva elements were irked by the call given by the Elgar Conference to bury the new Peshwai, which referred to the anti-people regime of BJP. People like Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide were intriguing to create some mischief on the day of congregation were being spoken about among the activists. The conference was attended by people Dalits and non-Dalits from all over the state. All speeches were critical of the anti-Dalit, anti-minority and generally anti-people policies of the government. The next day, when the Dalits congregated to pay their homage at the historic obelisk at Koregaon to the Mahar soldiers died in the Battle, the miscreants attacked them. As per the newspaper reports and the eye witnesses, it was fairly pre-planned with heaps of stones collected on the terraces of the houses along the road. Many cars, buses, vans were damaged; scores of people injured and in a melee a youth lost his life. Complicity of the state was nakedly seen in utterly inadequate police force that remained quiet as the goons went about their job.
The FIR was lodged in the Police Station naming Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide as the accused. But the Police did not arrest them until the Supreme Court rejected Milind Ekbote’s plea for anticipatory bail on 14 March 2018. Another accused, Sambhaji Bhide is still at large, with the Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis unusually giving him a clean chit. His government promptly rounded up thousands of Dalit youth who observed peaceful Bandh on 3 January in protest of the attack and government’s complicity in it.

The government, instead of investigating the culprits who attacked the Ambedkarite congregation on 1 January, filed cases against Jignesh Mewani and Omar Khalid for delivering provocative speeches in the conference. As a matter of fact there is nothing in the speeches that could remotely be taken as provocative, much less be connected with the riots the next day. But true to its terrorist character, the government went ahead with its propaganda and today carried out raids on the houses of select activists.

CPDR considers this as the foulest way of the state to terrorise people into giving up their democratic expression.

CPDR demands

The police should return the things taken away from these activists and apologise to the activists for harassing them.
We condemn the Chief Minister giving clean chits to culprits and thwarting the process of law.
The Police should arrest Sambhaji Bhide forthwith and restore the process of law.

Anand Teltumbde, General Secretary, CPDR

http://www.cpdr.in/press/releases

Press Releases on Protection of Democratic Rights, India. Read recent Democratic Rights issues, The Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR) was set up in Mumbai in the aftermath of Emergency like most Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights organisations in India. It is thus one of the ol...