Speaking to Sabrang India, Dr. Puniyani said, “I am relieved that the police have provided me and my family with round-the-clock protection. Police personnel will be deployed to protect us till the conclusion of the investigation.”

 

The arrangements were made following a meeting between Dr. Puniyani and DCP Sangramsinh Nishandar on Saturday evening. The investigations are being monitored by the DCP’s office. 

 

Confirming the development, DCP Nishandar said, “We have provided him with police protection.” 

 

Dr. Puniyani, an eminent academician and rationalist, was accused of being anti-Hindu and threatened with dire consequences if he did not stop his activities, by the as yet unidentified caller. Following this he not only filed a police complaint, but also wrote to the Mumbai Police Commissioner. He also met with the Joint Commissioner with a delegation of civil society members.

 

CJP also intervened on his behalf and moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to provide him adequate protection and to ensure that the authorities take the matter very seriously given previous attacks on rationalists like Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and Gauri Lankesh, allegedly by members of right-wing extremist groups. 

On the evening of June 7, Dr. Puniyani and Dr. Smita Puniyani met Vinoy Kumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order). This was in wake of threatening phone calls to the former IIT Bombay professor’s house the previous night.

 

The caller, who used extremely offensive language alleged that Dr. Puniyani was “anti-Hindu” and threatened him with dire consequences if he didn’t stop his activities and leave within 15 days. 

 

Speaking to Sabrang India after the meeting, Dr. Puniyani said, “My family and I felt reassured after their meeting with the Joint CP.” The issue of providing security to Dr. Puniyani will be taken up on June 8, 2019 with the DCP Sangramsinh Nishandar. The investigation will be monitored by the DCP for now. “The Joint CP has instructed the DCP to increase the area security for now, assured us he will consider granting security and also asked part of the investigations in terms of tracing the telephone number to be handed over to the Cyber Cell,” added Dr. Pinuyani.

 

Following a threat to the life and well being of noted academic, rationalist and civil society member Dr. Ram Puniyani, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has intervened in the matter and written to the National Human Rights commission (NHRC). We have appealed, in our letter, for urgent action to be taken in this matter, and also to ensure that proper protection be provided to Dr Puniyani and his family.

 

The former IIT Bombay professor, who is also a well-known rationalist, received the threats by phone on the night of June 6, 2019. Two calls were made to his home phone number and Puniyani was accused of being anti-Hindu. The caller, who used extremely abusive language, threatened dire consequences if Dr. Puniyani didn’t stop his activities and leave within 15 days! Dr Puniyani has filed an FIR with the Powai police station in Mumbai and also written to the Commissioner of Police. 

 

Given his persistent and relentless campaign for rationalist thought, a syncretic understanding of history — with lectures and workshops held allover India — these threats can only be seen as serious. Therefore, CJP has moved NHRC to ensure that authorities take swift and serious action in this case and this human rights defender is protected adequately. CJP, in the letter addressed to HL Dattu, honourable chairperson of NHRC, says, “We are extremely concerned about the threats to noted rationalist and civil rights activist Dr Ram Puniyani’s life.” It adds, “Sir given the NHRC’s mandate to ensure the free and safe activities to promote human rights and Constitutional values, and the imminent threat to Dr Puniyani’s life, we urge urgent action in the matter.” A copy of our letter may be viewed here.

 

Below here is the email sent by Dr Puniyani to the Commissioner of Mumbai urging an appointment with other activists to impress upon him the seriousness of the matter.

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Dear Sir

I got a threatening calls on my landline no. (details below). The person abused me saying I am writing/speaking against Hindus. It was a threat to stop my activities. 
Some concerned citizens and I will like to call upon you in this matter.
Sincerely

Ram Puniyani
*************************************************************

On June 6, unidentified men made two calls to Punyani’s home. Accusing Punyani of being anti-Hindu, the caller(s) demanded he stop his ‘activities’ or suffer dire consequences. Here is the text of the compliant submitted to the Powai police station on June 7, 2019

**************************************************************
To

In-charge
Powai Police Station
Subject:
Threatening Phone call to me

Madam/Sir
I wish to lodge a complaint about the threatening phone call I received yesterday (06 06 2019) at around 8.30 PM on my landline (XXXXXXXX). The caller did not identify himself. He started abusing me in a filthy language and then stated that I should stop my activities and leave, else… He said we give you the time of 15 days. (This call number could not be exactly traced, likely it was from 9690637733). Five minutes later there was a call from 8810682624. This time in a very aggressive tone the caller asked, is Doctor there. I said no. He cut off the phone.
On 09 03 2019, three unidentified visitors had come over on the pretext of inquiry for my passport application. Since I told them that I had not applied for any passport, they made some general inquiries about our family and my past affiliation with IIT Mumbai and then they left. I had made this complaint to you and also had marked a copy of this to the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai. (Copy attached)

Please register this complaint and take suitable action.

Sincerely
Ram Puniyani
(Former Professor, IIT Mumbai)