Stop repression against peoples movements 

India Against Corruption expresses deep concern about the recent incidents of repression against peoples movements across the country. It is ironic that while some of the biggest scams on public money are not investigated and the most corrupt politicians and officials allowed to go scot-free, police and administration are overzealous in prosecuting those who raise peoples’ voice. The last few days have witnessed several instances from Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

In Jharkhand, the police re-arrested Dayamani Barla, a leading adivasi activist, as soon as she was released on bail. She has been involved in a popular protest against forcible acquisition of land near Ranchi involving police firing against the protesters. In Maharashtra, activists Suniti S. R., Maruti Bhapkar, Prasad and 70 others have been arrested for leading the protest of Lavasa, Tata and Wang dam affected people. They have been sent to Yeervada jail without being informed of the charges.  In Chhindawada, Madhya Pradesh, Advocate Aradhana Bhargav and other activists, involved in protest against Adani Power Plan were arrested. Even more shockingly, Medha Patkar and her colleagues, who came to support the protesters, were picked up from the private residence of Advocate Aradhana Bhargav and the judicial magistrate refused to entertain their bail application.

We are also disturbed by mounting evidence of the judiciary succumbing to pressure from the government in silencing the peoples movements. The recent decision by the District and Sessions Judge, Baitul, M.P. to award life imprisonment to Dr Sunilam is another sad example. This case pertains to police firing against farmers demanding compensation for damaged crops in 1998 under the leadership of Dr. Sunilam, a socialist activist. As many as 24 farmers were killed in police firing. While no one has been punished for these 24 deaths, the government has vigorously prosecuted the farmers for death of a fire tender worker. Dr Sunilam has been awarded life imprisonment in this case on the charge of having “commonality of interest” with farmers and that too based on the evidence by those involved in the massacre of farmers. It is to be noted that Dr Sunilam has been opposing the misdeeds of the Congress and the BJP governments in the state and carrying out vigorous campaign against Adani Power Plant and other corporate projects.  

India Against Corruption expresses solidarity with all these peoples’ struggles and the activists – particularly Dr Sunilam -- who have been subjected to state repression. We demand that false cases against these activists be withdrawn and Dr Sunilam be released on bail. These cases once again bring out the collusion of all the major political parties with one another and with corporate interests and underline the need for an alternative politics to challenge this collusion.