A high level delegation of Left parties and other organizations met the Bihar Home Secretary and DGP on 11 June 2020 and demanded withdrawal of false cases slapped during the Lockdown on leaders of Left parties, labor organizations and civil society. The delegation comprised Tarari MLA and CPIML CC member Sudama Prasad, CPI leader Vijay Narayan Mishra, CPM leader Rampari Devi, Right to Food activist Ritvik and AICCTU leader Ranvijay Kumar.
The delegation explained to the Home Secretary and the DGP how false cases were slapped on leaders and activists while observing all Lockdown rules during protests for workers’ rights.
On 22 May cases were registered against 100 persons including MLA Mahboob Alam, Ghaznafar Nawab, RN Thakur, Ganesh Shankar Singh, Anil Sharma and Ajay Kumar. Similarly, cases were slapped on 3 June against members of civil society protesting (and strictly following physical distancing) against the arrest of anti-CAA protesters. Cases were also registered against AIPWA leader Shashi Yadav, AIKM leader KD Yadav, Arun Mishra, Nivedita, Mohd Ghalib, Rupesh Kumar and others. Lockdown is being used as a tool of repression against the peacefully and lawfully protesting activists.
The Home Secretary and DGP gave positive assurances in response to the delegation’s demand for withdrawing both cases.
The memorandum submitted to the Home Secretary and DGP stated that Covid-19 can be defeated only by the concerted and cooperative efforts of all sections of society. We have on many occasions been forced to go out on the streets to disburse rations to starving migrant workers. We have also tried to establish cooperation between opposition parties and social organizations in order to provide relief to Lockdown-distressed people. We have also tried to draw the government’s attention to the proper running of quarantine centers. But it is unfortunate that the administration is trying to target political-social activists under the guise of the Lockdown. During this period, the central and several state governments have abrogated hard won workers’ rights. Anti-CAA activists are also being targeted and thrown into jails. In a time of pandemic when the entire world is advocating emptying of jails, our government is throwing people into jail including pregnant Safoora Zargar. It is natural for civil society to react against such undemocratic and inhuman actions.
The memorandum further details the above-mentioned cases slapped on leaders and activists on 22 May and 3 June. The memorandum appealed to the Home Secretary and DGP to intervene at their level, take cognizance of the above cases and take action to have these cases withdrawn.
