[WSMDiscuss] Dalits in movement…., Freedoms in movement… : Fwd: Free Azad Press Release and Poster for wider circulation

[JS CACIM]

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Dalits in movement…., Freedoms in movement…

[For those on this list not familiar with this issue, please check out my earlier posts on it, including ‘Ambedkar's Army : A Dalit force fights caste atrocities in Uttar Pradesh’, a film by Esha Paul and Aman Sethi, on May 10 2017; or check out  https://www.thequint.com/quintlab/ambedkar-dalit-army-fights-caste-atrocities-in-uttar-pradesh/ <https://www.thequint.com/quintlab/ambedkar-dalit-army-fights-caste-atrocities-in-uttar-pradesh/>.

[Read on :

Free Azad Press Release and Poster for wider circulation

Abroad for Pluralist India (IAPI), Canada; Radical Desi, Canada; Women Writers Against Tyranny; Voices of Women for Justice and Peace; International Movement for a JUST World, Malaysia; Justice for Palestine Matters; Dalit Mukti Morcha ; Chhattisgarh Nagrik Sanyukt Sangarsh Samiti; Bhoo Adhikara Samrakshana Samithi; Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha, Keraleeyam Collective; Endosulfan Peeditha Munnani; SEWA; and others

“Azad is in prison since June 2017, put away as a threat to ‘national security’ for championing the cause of India’s Dalits - a community repeatedly subjected to racist violence, rape, inhumane untouchability practices, social, cultural and political discrimination. Due to the high level of impunity in cases involving Dalit victims, they have no way of asserting their rights through the judicial system.
“Like Malcolm X, the visionary leader of the black community in the United States, Azad is searching for ways to protect Dalit rights fearlessly in a way that is not only constructive but also effective.”

"Worryingly there are reports of attempts to break him both mentally and bodily while in prison, including through instigated attacks against him by other prisoners. Azad has also had to be hospitalized once due to ill-health and has expressed fears state authorities may try to physically eliminate him, under some pretext or the other."
            In solidarity, Jai Bhim !

            JS

fwd

> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Shiva Shankar <sshankar at cmi.ac.in>
> Subject: Free Azad Press Release and Poster for wider circulation
> Date: April 12, 2018 at 3:59:55 PM GMT+5:30
> To: undisclosed-recipients: ;

... Worryingly there are reports of attempts to break him both mentally and bodily while in prison, including through instigated attacks against him by other prisoners. Azad has also had to be hospitalized once due to ill-health and has expressed fears state authorities may try to physically eliminate him, under some pretext or the other. ...

Subject: Free Azad Press Release and Poster for wider circulation

Dear All Kind see attached two posters - in Hindi and English- that has been endorsed by over 60 organisations in India and abroad calling for Chandrashekhar Azad's immediate release. Please circulate widely to media and other contacts. Anyone wishing to print out the posters and distribute them is welcome to do so. thanks and regards Free Azad Team

PRESS RELEASE: Over 60 Organizations Issue Poster Demanding Release Of  Azad

Over sixty organizations have released a poster demanding the release of Dalit activist and Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar Azad who is incarcerated in Saharanpur jail.

Azad is in prison since June 2017, put away as a threat to 'national security' for championing the cause of India's Dalits - a community repeatedly subjected to racist violence, rape, inhumane untouchability practices, social, cultural and political discrimination. Due to the high level of impunity in cases involving Dalit victims, they have no way of asserting their rights through the judicial system.

Like Malcolm X, the visionary leader of the black community in the United States, Azad is searching for ways to protect Dalit rights fearlessly in a way that is not only constructive but also effective.

Going beyond mere rhetoric Azad organised Dalits into the 'Bhim Army’ - named after Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, one of India's greatest intellectuals, who drafted the Indian Constitution. The Bhim Army?s main work has been to form over 300 study circles among Dalit students in western Uttar Pradesh to spread education and organise self-defence against violent attacks by high caste groups.

Azad was initially arrested on charges of 'inciting violence', following clashes between upper caste Rajputs and Dalits in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. In November 2017 the Allahabad High Court granted bail in all four cases against him and his associate Kamal Walia, observing the charges were false and politically motivated. The police could not provide evidence of Azad?s specific role in the incidents of violence or of possessing weapons of any kind.

The regime however promptly re-arrested Azad under the draconian National Security Act (NSA), that allows the state to put away anyone without bail for a year. The NSA is in a long line of Indian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), that violate all known norms of civil rights and are used by the Indian authorities to suppress democratic dissent.

Worryingly there are reports of attempts to break him both mentally and bodily while in prison, including through instigated attacks against him by other prisoners. Azad has also had to be hospitalized once due to ill-health and has expressed fears state authorities may try to physically eliminate him, under some pretext or the other.

Bhim Army's fight is not just about India's Dalit community but for preserving Indian democracy and Constitution itself, under severe attack from extremist political groups seeking unchallenged dictatorial power. The serious threat posed to the life of Azad is similar to that faced by countless other human rights defenders throughout India, in places like Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and the North-East.

Download the high resolution poster here https://www.freeazad.in/?/uplo?/2018/04/Free-Azad-poster.jpg <https://www.freeazad.in/?/uplo?/2018/04/Free-Azad-poster.jpg>

Poster Endorsed By:

Abroad for Pluralist India (IAPI), Canada; Radical Desi, Canada; Women Writers Against Tyranny; Voices of Women for Justice and Peace; International Movement for a JUST World, Malaysia; Justice for Palestine Matters; Dalit Mukti Morcha ; Chhattisgarh Nagrik Sanyukt Sangarsh Samiti; Bhoo Adhikara Samrakshana Samithi; Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha, Keraleeyam Collective; Endosulfan Peeditha Munnani; SEWA; Penpilai Orumai; DISHA, Puthuvyp LPG Terminal Virudha Janakeeya Samara Samithi; Pachimaghatta Smarakshana Ekopana Samithi; NAPM, Kerala; Chengara Bhoo Samara Samithi; Arippa Bhoo Samara Samithi; RIGHTS, Thiruvananthapuram; Plachimada Coca Cola Virudha Samara Samithi; Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samara Samithi; Dalith Bhoo Avakasha Samara Munnani; Vayalkili Samara Samithi, Keezhattoor; Countercurrents.org <http://countercurrents.org/>; Shramajibi Swasthya Udyog; Coorg Organisation for Rural Development (CORD); Budukuttu Krishikara Sangha (BKS); National Adivasi Alliance (NAA); Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI); Women India Movement (WIM) ; Social Democratic Trade Union (SDTU) ; Dalit Peoples' Democratic Front; Tamil Nadu Student's Front; New Socialist Alternative (CWI- India); People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (P.A.D.S); Coorg Organisation for Rural Development (CORD); Ilanthamizhagam Iyakkam; Welfare Party of India; Shahid Bhagat Singh Creativity Center; Peoples? Democratic Republican Party; Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha; Joint Action Committee for Social Justice; Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association; POSCO Pratirodh Sangharsh Samithi; Lok Shakti Abhiyan; Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh; Bhopal Group for Information and Action; People?s Campaign for Socio?Economic Equality; Journal of Counter Culture; Perspectives; Padhabhedam Monthly; Critics.in; May 17 Movement; SICHREM; Lok Shakti Abhiyan; Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti; Khandadar Suraksha Samiti; Fraternity Movement; Solidarity Youth Movement; Media Fraternity; OROSA, Bhubaneshwar; Civil Society Forum on Human Rights, Bhubaneswhar; National Solidarity Forum______________________________

Jai Sen

jai.sen at cacim.net <mailto:jai.sen at cacim.net>
www.cacim.net <http://www.cacim.net/> / http://www.openword.net.in

Now based in New Delhi, India (+91-98189 11325) and in Ottawa, Canada, on unceded Anishinaabe territory (+1-613-282 2900) 

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