Release Teesta Setalvad: Indian Human Rights groups and activists

Youths, trade unions and rights groups stand with Teesta Setalvad, demand her immediate release

Release Teesta

Barely 24 hours have passed since activist and journalist Teesta Setalvad was forcibly taken away by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, and support for the 60-year-old is flooding every social media platform.

On June 25, the ATS unit barged into the ancestral bungalowof the human rights defender who is the secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). They detained her on trumped up charges, that appear to have materialised just a day after the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Zakia Jafri case.

However, impressed and inspired by her work over the years, young digital activists have taken up the mantel of spreading news of her ordeal across the internet. Teesta Stalvad is thus inspiring young India even from behind bars!

On Instagram, digital activists are posting artwork in honour of the veteran journalist and her work in the field of human rights.

Smish Designs is one such young artist who talked about Setalvad’s resolve in the field of human rights.

“This was so painful to draw. I’ve had the honour to work with Teesta, her passion and determination to fight hate in the society left a mark on me. I wish for her security and safety back home,” said Smish.

Another artist concerned by her ordeal is Djinnmakesart. Recollecting a meeting with Setalvad as a young child, she writes how the activist’s words have stated with her till adulthood.

Djinn talked about how she first met Setalvad when she was eight years old. On asking for her autograph, Setalvad wrote, “Love courage and move.”

Regarding this message, Djinn said, “Those words didn’t mean a thing to me back then. But somehow, they have stuck with me. Perhaps a part of me knew that I would need to revisit these words over and over again over the entire course of my life. These words have brought me back to life in the darkest of days when I was left hopeless and helpless.” Djinn further said, “And today when I see her name in the news again for her relentless pursuit of social justice, I am secretly hoping that she is living by these same words that she wrote for my 8 year old self. I hope she does.”

On Saturday, Setalvad accused the personnel of assaulting her and taking away her phone. She was roughed up and taken to the Santacruz Police Station, where she was placed under arrest.Setalvad had filed a hand written complaint with the Santacruz Police Station saying Police Inspector JH Patel of the ATS Ahmedabad and a lady officer in civil clothes came into her bedroom and assaulted her when she demanded to speak to her lawyer. Setalvad says that she was not shown the First Information Report (FIR) or a warrant till her lawyer arrived.

Students Federation of India (SFI) has also thrown their support behind Teesta Setalvad solidifying her fan base among the youth:

 

 

Protests have been planned in all major cities to demand justice for Teesta Setalvad. Some have sought endorsements online:

 

Indeed #FreeTeesta is trending on Twitter

 

Condemning this abuse of human rights, Kolkata’s CPI(M) unit is observing at 5 P.M in the West Bengal capital.

Release Teesta

At 4 P.M on June 27, a protest is planned to be held at Jantar Mantar, Delhi to condemn “Modi’s undeclared emergency and war on progressive groups.”

Release Teesta

Release Teesta

There is another call for a solidarity protest at 5PM on June 27 at Dadar Station (East), outside Hanuman Mandir.Organisers include noted activists, lawyers and academics such as Prakash Reddy, Vidya Chawan, Adv. Mihir Desai, Vivek Monteiro, Milind Ranade, FerozeMithiborwala, Dolphy D’Souza, Varsha Vidya Vilas, Lara Jesani, Guddi, M A Khalid, Vishal Hiwale, Nuruddin Naik among others.

Release Teesta

Support is also pouring in from students’ organisations like the All India Students Federation in Sri Sankaracharya University and the All India Students Association.

 

Further the All India Lawyers Union(AILU) has also condemned Setalvad’s arrest and demanded her immediate release and withdrawal of charges. “Arrest of Teesta Setalvad, human rights activist, by the Gujarat ATS is the latest illustrative incident of oppressive and vindictive action of the state against dissent… to terrorize the activists and the civil society… to mute and silence the voice of dissent… voice against white terrorism. An action undermining the Constitution and the Constitutional ethos,” said AILU General Secretary P. V. Surendranath.

Related:

PRESS RELEASE: Teesta Setalvad roughed up as Gujarat ATS personnel barge into her home
Support pours in for Teesta Setalvad
I fear for my life: Teesta Setalvad allegedly roughed up by Gujarat ATS personnel

Trending

IN FOCUS

Related Articles

ALL STORIES

ALL STORIES