Protests against Arrest of Teesta Setalvad, RB Srikumar and Mohammad Zubair
The Supreme Court dismissed Zakia Jafri's petition challenging the exoneration of Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat genocide case. The Supreme Court didn't stop at exonerating Narendra Modi under whose watch Gujarat had witnessed the 2002 pogrom and genocide, it went on to suggest that justice-seekers be put on trial. The next day, which ironically was the 47th anniversary of the promulgation of Emergency, ATS detained co-petitioner Teesta Setalvad and retired IPS RB Sreekumar.
Protests against this travesty of justice are gathering momentum across India. Protests were held demanding immediate release of Teesta Setalvad, RB Sreekumar and justice for the survivors of Gujarat Genocide in many cities including Delhi, Patna, Ranchi, Mumbai and Siliguri.
CPIML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya criticised the arrests and called it a sad day for justice in India that the indefatigable justice-seeker for the victims of Gujarat Genocide has become a target of heinous vendetta politics with the apex court showing the way. Earlier this happened in Bhima Koregaon case, then in Delhi Riots of 2020, and now for Gujarat2002 the justice is being turned on its head.
Protests in Ranchi
Left parties, social organizations and human rights activists organized a march to Raj Bhavan in Ranchi on 27 June 2022 against the arrest of human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, with slogans and placards condemning repression against activists and demanding immediate and unconditional release of Teesta Setalvad. The march culminated in a meeting at Raj Bhavan.
Addressing the meeting, CPIML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said that the present undeclared Emergency is even more dangerous than the Emergency imposed 45 years ago. Activists fighting for justice are being subjected to repression because of political prejudice. 'Adharma' is being followed instead of 'Raj Dharma'. Voices across the country are being raised against lies and repression. It is a struggle against blood-thirsty undeclared Emergency to save the Constitution and democracy. We shall fight and win against this undeclared Emergency.
Social activist Damayanti Barla, CPIM leader Prakash Viplav, CPIML leaders MLA Vinod Singh, Manoj Bhakt, Geeta Mandal, Nandita Bhattacharya and others said that false cases like Bhima Koregaon are being slapped to persecute activists and even kill them as in the case of Fr Stan Swamy. This is another link in the conspiracy to hand the country over to Adani, Ambani and other corporate houses.
Protest in Mumbai
Hundreds of people protested in front of Dadar Station in Mumbai on 27 June to condemn the arrest of human rights activist Teesta Setalvad and RB Shreekumar.
Present at the protest were leaders from CPIML, CPI, CPIM, Hum Bharat ke Log, and many other voluntary organizations as well as GG Parikh, senior leader of the 1942 Quit India Movement. Addressing the protest, the activists exposed the fascist character of the Modi government. They unanimously condemned the malicious arrest of Teesta Setalvad, RB Sreekumar and others and said the arrests are a cruel joke against the Constitution and democracy. All the organizations demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Teesta Setalvad and RB Sreekumar.
Kolkata
CPIML protested in Kolkata demanding immediate release of Teesta and RB Srikumar and effigies of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah were burnt by the protesters of 26 June.
Delhi
In Delhi citizens gathered at Jantar Mantar to condemn the denial of justice to Zakia Jafri and other victims of Gujarat2002 genocide and arrest of Teesta Setalvad, RB Sreekumar, Sanjeev Bhatt and other justice seekers.
Patna
The CPIML held a protest in Patna on June 28 demanding unconditional release of Mohammad Zubair, Teesta Setalvad and RB Srikumar which was addressed by party's leader of the legislative group Mahboob Alam and MLA Manoj Manzil.
