Baccha Singh, Manish Azad arrests highlight state action against activists

By Harsh Thakor*

On January 3, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Ranchi interrogated and subsequently arrested Baccha Singh under FIR Number RC-03/2023/NIA/RNC. Singh, a trade union activist, has previously faced scrutiny. In May 2023, his residence was raided by the NIA in connection with a "conspiracy case," during which devices belonging to his partner, Ipsa Shatakshi, were seized. Singh, based in Bokaro, Jharkhand, has been a prominent figure in labor rights and was the General Secretary of the Majdoor Sangathan Samiti (MSS), a registered trade union banned twice by the Jharkhand government, most recently in August 2023 under the Criminal Law Amendment Act (CLA) of 1908.

The government cited concerns that MSS activities interfered with law and order. However, in February 2022, the Ranchi High Court lifted an earlier ban, citing insufficient evidence to link MSS to any unlawful activities. Singh and MSS have long been associated with organizing contract workers, particularly in coal mining areas like Dhanbad and Bokaro, and supporting causes such as Adivasi rights, anti-displacement movements, and labor rights.

The recent legal actions are part of ongoing investigations into alleged conspiracies to revive Maoist activity in the Bihar-Jharkhand region. Critics argue that such cases often lack substantial evidence and target those engaged in legitimate activism. Organizations such as the Committee Against State Repression (CASR) have called for Singh's release and the revocation of the MSS ban, citing concerns over restrictions on democratic dissent.

Arrest of Manish Azad

On January 5, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested political activist, poet, and writer Manish Azad at his residence in Allahabad. Azad, active for over three decades, has published articles, poems, and translations and previously served as the founder of Inqalabi Chhatra Sabha. He was earlier arrested in 2019 in connection with the same case and spent eight months in custody before being released on bail.

Azad is implicated in a case alleging a conspiracy to revive Maoist activities in northern Indian states. His house and those of other activists were raided in September 2023. The FIR from 2019 has also led to the arrests of other individuals, including Advocate Kripashankar Singh, who works on cases for economically disadvantaged clients, and activists Anita Azad and Binda Sona, who focus on women's education.

These arrests are part of broader legal actions targeting activists under allegations of supporting banned organizations. Groups like CASR have expressed concerns about the implications for freedom of expression and association, urging collective action from democratic and civil society groups to safeguard the rights of activists and organizations working for social justice.

---

*Freelance journalist

Comments

Advocacy group decries 'hyper-centralization' as States’ share of health funds plummets

By A Representative In a major pre-budget mobilization, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), India’s leading public health advocacy network, has issued a sharp critique of the Union government’s health spending and demanded a doubling of the health budget for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year.

Delhi Jal Board under fire as CAG finds 55% groundwater unfit for consumption

By A Representative A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India audit report tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly on 7 January 2026 has revealed alarming lapses in the quality and safety of drinking water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), raising serious public health concerns for residents of the capital.

Zhou Enlai: The enigmatic premier who stabilized chaos—at what cost?

By Harsh Thakor* Zhou Enlai (1898–1976) served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from 1949 until his death and as Foreign Minister from 1949 to 1958. He played a central role in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for over five decades, contributing to its organization, military efforts, diplomacy, and governance. His tenure spanned key events including the Long March, World War II alliances, the founding of the PRC, the Korean War, and the Cultural Revolution.

Stands 'exposed': Cavalier attitude towards rushed construction of Char Dham project

By Bharat Dogra* The nation heaved a big sigh of relief when the 41 workers trapped in the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel (Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand) were finally rescued on November 28 after a 17-day rescue effort. All those involved in the rescue effort deserve a big thanks of the entire country. The government deserves appreciation for providing all-round support.

Pairing not with law but with perpetrators: Pavlovian response to lynchings in India

By Vikash Narain Rai* Lynch-law owes its name to James Lynch, the legendary Warden of Galway, Ireland, who tried, condemned and executed his own son in 1493 for defrauding and killing strangers. But, today, what kind of a person will justify the lynching for any reason whatsoever? Will perhaps resemble the proverbial ‘wrong man to meet at wrong road at night!’

Jayanthi Natarajan "never stood by tribals' rights" in MNC Vedanta's move to mine Niyamigiri Hills in Odisha

By A Representative The Odisha Chapter of the Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), which played a vital role in the struggle for the enactment of historic Forest Rights Act, 2006 has blamed former Union environment minister Jaynaynthi Natarjan for failing to play any vital role to defend the tribals' rights in the forest areas during her tenure under the former UPA government. Countering her recent statement that she rejected environmental clearance to Vendanta, the top UK-based NMC, despite tremendous pressure from her colleagues in Cabinet and huge criticism from industry, and the claim that her decision was “upheld by the Supreme Court”, the CSD said this is simply not true, and actually she "disrespected" FRA.

'Threat to farmers’ rights': New seeds Bill sparks fears of rising corporate control

By Bharat Dogra As debate intensifies over a new seeds bill, groups working on farmers’ seed rights, seed sovereignty and rural self-reliance have raised serious concerns about the proposed legislation. To understand these anxieties, it is important to recognise a global trend: growing control of the seed sector by a handful of multinational companies. This trend risks extending corporate dominance across food and farming systems, jeopardising the livelihoods and rights of small farmers and raising serious ecological and health concerns. The pending bill must be assessed within this broader context.

Climate advocates face scrutiny as India expands coal dependence

By A Representative The National Alliance for Climate and Environmental Justice (NACEJ) has strongly criticized what it described as coercive actions against climate activists Harjeet Singh and Sanjay Vashisht, following enforcement raids reportedly carried out on the basis of alleged violations of foreign exchange regulations and intelligence inputs.

A balancing act? Global power rivalry over Iran challenges India’s foreign policy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* A stable Iran is clearly in India’s interest. While US President Donald Trump has so far avoided a direct attack, the situation remains deeply uncertain. The central problem is that few governments take Trump’s words at face value. His actions have revealed a clear pattern: Washington targets adversaries even while pretending to negotiate with them.

Search This Blog