"Time" to stand up and speak out for oppressed, against injustices of "all kinds", unafraid of any consequences

Milind Ekbote, Sambhaji Bhide

By Rohit Prajapati*
August 28, 2018 witnessed raids at the houses and arrests of prominent activists and intellectuals Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj from Faridabad, Gautam Navlakha from New Delhi, Professor Varavara Rao from Hyderabad, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves from Mumbai and house raids of Fr. Stan Swamy in Ranchi, Anand Teltumbde in Goa, daughters of Professor Varavara – Anala and Pavana, journalist K V Kumaranath, EFLU Professor Satyanarayana, journalist Kranti Tekula and Naseem in Hyderabad and Susan Abraham in Mumbai.
Similarly, in June 2018, Shoma Sen, Sudhir Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, and Rona Wilson were also arrested.
All these raids and arrests are allegedly connected to the attacks of dalits in the Bhima Koregaon violence following the Elgaar Parishad public meeting, where in fact the real culprits and main conspirators right-wing leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote are at large. However, it is clear that these attacks on rights activists is nothing but targeting them for their work for the people, for social justice and against the state’s unjust actions and policies. This is nothing but an attempt to crush voices of dissent and political opposition against the ruling party.
Colleagues, comrades, and friends in past few days have condemned, criticised these unjustified raids and arbitrary arrests and detailed the sinister agenda of the government to undermine the founding principles of Indian democracy and her Constitutional guarantees.
The government and a biased media are using intimidatory tactics and as a result, it is possible that we could get silenced, perhaps a wee bit frightened, and even "pragmatic" as "advised".
Perhaps this is the time not to be "wise" and "pragmatic" even if we sense fear as the brute, unjust, and oppressive state seeks to browbeat us.
I believe this is just the right time to speak out, continue speaking, do what needs to be done, support and join the movement against exploitation, present destructive development model, repressive state and continue doing what we do, with renewed solidarity and lessons learnt anew.
We owe this simply to our ideals and the lifelong struggle for a just, equal society; to our all friends and comrades who strive for a just society; to brave people who envision and strive for justice and basic amenities for all.
The present times could be scary, in the face of threats, violence, and repression in this fascist regime. To be scared is very human but it is equally human to overcome those fears and threats and to continue being what we are, continue doing what we do and what needs to be done, now!
We should resolve to continue our fight for Justice and Truth, to uphold the values of Human Rights, to stand up and speak-out for the oppressed against injustice of all kinds, unafraid of all consequences.
---
*Senior activist, Paryavan Suraksha Samiti, Vadodara, Gujarat

Comments

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

The myth of population decline: India’s real challenge is density, not fertility

By N.S. Venkataraman* India’s population in 2025 stands at approximately 1.4 billion. In 1950, it was 359 million, rising sharply to 1.05 billion by 2000. The population continues to grow and is projected to reach around 1.7 billion by 2050.

How natural and organic farming can be a key to combating the climate crisis

By Raj Kumar Sinha* On July 9, while addressing the “Sahkar Samvad” in Ahmedabad with women and workers associated with cooperatives from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that natural farming is essential for both our health and the health of the soil. This is a significant statement in the context of addressing the climate change crisis. Natural farming can play a crucial role in combating climate change. Also known as organic farming, it is a system of agriculture that can increase food production without harming the environment. Natural farming has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 35% to 50%.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Search This Blog