Statement

The All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) is deeply shocked by, and unequivocally condemns, the murder of young freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar. Mukesh, a native of Chattisgarh, had gone missing on the 1st of January, 2025. Two days later, on the 3rd of January, his body was found dumped in a septic tank on the property of a contractor, whose corrupt dealing he had reported on and exposed earlier. The contractor is currently said to be absconding.

AISA condemns the arbitrary arrests of 13 students at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) by UP Police. The students were arrested for commemorating Manusmriti Dahan Diwas by burning the text and have since then been sent to judicial custody for 14 days under non-bailable charges. They have also been denied access to their families and legal counsel. AISA also condemns police action against Jay Saraf from Sitamarhi, Bihar for a similar commemoration on this historic day of resistance. 

The leaders of the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, Revolutionary Socialist Party and All India Forward Bloc met in New Delhi on December 22, 2024.  They have issued the following statement after the meeting:

The CPIML strongly condemns the Union government’s unilateral amendment to Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, which effectively curtails public access to crucial election-related documents. This amendment represents a deliberate assault on the principles of electoral transparency and democratic accountability, raising serious concerns about the ruling dispensation’s intent to subvert democratic institutions.

On December 17, 2024, the Modi government introduced two bills aimed at forwarding the undemocratic and unconstitutional Simultaneous Elections idea. The Constitution 129th Amendment Bill 2024 and The Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2024 were introduced in in Lok Sabha.

In a letter dated December 10, 2024 to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice (AILAJ) has called for immediate action against Jst. Shekhar Kumar Yadav, Allahabad High Court, for his open bigotry, prejudice and unconstitutional conduct unbecoming of a judge of the High Court.

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2024 JNUSU and progressive student organisations called for protest meet to bring attention to the unlawful incarceration of innumerable political prisoners. Students, teachers, members of parliament and family members of these prisoners attended this event in solidarity with the cause and all those who continue to be imprisoned under draconian laws such as UAPA, AFSPA, NIA and PSA.

(Statement by AISA unit of Jamia Millia Islamia University) 

A recent order issued by the Jamia Millia Islamia administration banning protests, slogans, and dissent against constitutional dignitaries is a reminder of how deeply the Sangh Parivar has infiltrated our academic institutions. This administration, which once prided itself on Jamia’s legacy of resistance and progressive thought, has now reduced itself to a mouthpiece for the BJP-RSS agenda.

Following their shameful track record of obstructing truth from coming out, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Yogi Adityanath placed a team of CPIML members under house arrest, who were heading to Sambhal to meet the families whose loved ones were killed by UP Police violence.

The violence in UP’s Sambhal is an attempt to destroy the secular and democratic fabric of India. Following the pattern witnessed in Gyanvapi and other sites, a dispute was created in Sambhal by claiming that the 16th-century Jama Masjid was previously a temple. Despite a prior survey being conducted, a second survey was initiated on Sunday morning. This is a clear violation of the Places of Worship Act, 1991 which guarantees the status of every place of religious worship as on 15 August 1947.