THE CPIML Uttar Pradesh unit has condemned the arrest of Rihai Manch President Mohd Shoaib from his residence on 7 March 2020. The Party has also condemned as anti-Constitutional the Uttar Pradesh government’s act of putting up “Wanted” posters of socio-cultural and human rights activists like Sadaf Jafar, SR Darapuri, Mohd Shoaib and Deepak Kabir on Lucknow roads for taking part in anti-CAA-NRC-NPR protests.
This act incites violence and criminalizes constitutionally valid protests. This act by the UP government is neither legal nor constitutional. It is a conspiracy to defame these protesters and cause them mental torture which can endanger their lives. This action amounts to an act of revenge and crushing dissent which cannot be permitted in a democracy. It also shows the malicious intent of the present government towards citizens’ rights.
The CPIML demands the immediate removal of the notices with photos of protesters put up on the roads, cancellation of orders for damage recovery from protesters, and also demands that the democratic right to protest should be respected.
Rihai Manch President Mohd Shoaib was later released by the police amid protests.
CPIML welcomes Allahabad HC Verdict:
The CPIML has welcomed the Allahabad High Court taking suo moto notice of the hoardings against anti-CAA protesters put up in Lucknow and instructed the State government to remove them.
This verdict is in keeping with the people’s expectations from the court as the protector of the Constitution and civil liberties. Party UP State Secretary Sudhakar Yadav has said that imposing Section 144 for long periods and curbing dharna-protests and civil liberties by the Yogi government is also an abuse of power which the judiciary should take notice of and act for the reinstatement of the normal democratic process.
