[WSMDiscuss] How Will Democracy Survive in India?

[Umakant]

DearFriends

Greetings!The authoritarianism which is the hallmark of this Hindu majoritarian politicalparty in power has continued with its divisive politics of Hindus fightingagainst Muslims, Caste Hindus fighting against Dalits, Adivasis and otherdisadvantaged groups. There is a clear design of maintaining the polarized relationsamongst different groups and that is how a conservative political party fishesin the troubled waters. 

 

Bycapturing the State and thereby the coercive organs of the State, each andevery dissenting voice or protest is met with highhandedness of the Police andends in arrests of the activists. Anyone who dares to think, speak and workdifferently shall be ready to face the wrath of the demagogue who rules thecountry by winning democratically held elections through fraudulent means.

 

Lastsix years of the current political regime bears testimony to this growingauthoritarianism in India. The latest arrest of two women student activist fromJawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi barely one day ago is a clear messagethat witch-hunting of activists would continue no matter even if the wholecountry is under lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.  

 

Howwill democracy survive is a question that warrants answers from everyone whocares for democratic ideals and love practicing it.

 

Dopass it on to others in your circle/network. 

 

Amit Shah's 'Bhima Koregaon Model' Used For Anti-CAA Protests

NandiniSundar, Opinion, NDTV, May 25, 2020 

https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/amit-shahs-bhim-koregaon-model-used-for-anti-caa-protests-2234716

 

Therecent arrests of Jamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha and two JNU students,Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, both activists with Pinjra Tod, shows thatthe union home ministry is convinced the 'Bhima Koregaon model' works and mustbe replicated. 

 

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Court grants activists bail sayingthey were only protesting, police arrest them again

Mahender Singh Manral and Aranya Shankar, Indian Express,May 25, 2020 

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/court-grants-activists-bail-saying-they-were-only-protesting-police-arrest-them-again-6425757/

 

The respite, though, was short lived as a SpecialInvestigation Team of the Crime Branch arrested them under charges of murder,attempt to murder, rioting and criminal conspiracy, and sought their policecustody for 14 days. The court eventually remanded them in two-day policecustody. 

 

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DelhiPolice Re-Arrest Pinjra Tod Women Activists As Court Grants Them Bail

The Wire, May 25, 2020 

https://thewire.in/rights/pinjra-tod-arrest-delhi-police-jafrabad

 

Granting them bail,the Duty Magistrate had said Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal "havestrong roots in society and are well-educated."

 

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Indiaactivists held over citizenship law protest

BBC, May 25, 2020 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52794967

 

India has arrested two activists over an anti-government protest in thecapital Delhi in February. Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita took part in a sit-inagainst a contentious citizenship law a day before deadly riots broke out. Theyare among several activists who have been arrested since India's lockdown beganon 25 March.

 

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Over 600 Eminent Citizens SeekRelease of Sudha Bhardwaj, Shoma Sen and Other Political Prisioners

NewsClick Report, May 25, 2020 

https://www.newsclick.in/Eminent-Citizens-Seek-Release-of-political-prisoners

 

COVID-19 cases cross 50,000 in Maharashtra, including inByculla jail, where Bharadwaj and Sen, both elderly prisoners withco-morbidities, are lodged.

 

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In Delhi violence investigation, a disturbing pattern:Victims end up being prosecuted by police

Vijayata Lalwani, Scroll, May 23, 2020

In Delhi violence investigation, a disturbing pattern: Victims end up being prosecuted by police


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In Delhi violence investigation, a disturbing pattern: Victims end up be...

Vijayta Lalwani

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Hundreds have been arrested by the Delhi Police, even as the lockdownmade scrutiny and access to justice difficult. 

 

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With Regards 

Umakant, Ph. D 

New Delhi 



 






My final words of advice to you are educate, agitate and organize; have faith in yourself. With justice on our side I do not see how we can lose our battle. The battle to me is a matter of joy. The battle is in the fullest sense spiritual. There is nothing material or social in it. For ours is a battle not for wealth or for power. It is battle for freedom. It is the battle of reclamation of human personality. 
B.R.Ambedkar
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