By Newzfirst10/4/11
NEW DELHI - Civil rights groups, students, teachers
and activists have come together to stage protests in different parts of the
country against ‘arbitrary and unconstitutional arrest’ of suspended DIG
Sanjeev Bhatt by the Gujarat Police. According to Shabnam Hashmi of Anhad,
protests were organised in over 40 cities across the country. The protesters
demanded immediate release of Mr. Bhatt.
In
the capital, a protest was staged at Gujarat Bhawan at the Kautilya Marg,
Chanakyapuri on Monday afternoon. “It’s a clear case of intimidation of
whistle-blowers and shows totalitarian character of Modi regime”, said
Delhi-based activist Mahtab Alam, adding “We are here to express our solidarity
with Mr. Bhatt and his family”. The activists also submitted a memorandum
to the Resident Commissioner for Governor of Gujarat at the Gujarat Bhawan
seeking immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Bhatt.
Addressing
the protest meeting outside Gujarat Bhawan, Filmmaker and Activist, Mahesh
Bhatt said, “Sanjiv Bhatt's fault is that he dared to reveal the truth behind
the 2002 carnage as also the murder of Haren Pandya.” Referring to his
conversation with Sanjeev Bhatt, he said, “I spoke to Sanjiv the evening he was
arrested, asking that since the worst had happened, what he needed to tell the
world outside. He said it was now for the courts to ensure that the rule of law
was imposed in Gujarat and the nation.” Mahesh
Bhatt also appealed, “We as civil society should come together and fight this
trend of communal and fascist mentality.”
Retired
DIG and colleague of Sanjeev Bhatt, R B Shreekumar alleged, “The arrest of
Sanjeev Bhatt is the peak of the policy followed by the Modi government since
the conception, organisation, mobilisation and perpetration of an anti-Muslim
carnage in 2002. Of all the actions, this is the most atrocious.” Shreekumar,
who himself a victim of Modi further said, “After the 2002 carnage, the Modi
government started terrorising the bureaucracy, including the senior police
officer who dared to speak the truth.” “If electoral victory is the license for
violating the Constitution, the rule of law then our freedom and democracy is
under serious threat,” he added.
Activists
Shabnam Hashmi, Himanshu Kumar, Sanjay Sharaf, Gauhar Raza, Sandeep Kumar,
Faisal Khan, Maulana Ejaz Urfi, Shakeel Ahmed, Madhuresh Kumar, Vani and others
also spoke on the occasion. Earlier a similar protest was staged at Jantar
Mantar by Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Jan Shakti Party. “We want immediate release
of Sanjeev Bhatt,” said Amanatullah Khan, a party factionary. “Our
party will launch a nation-wide campaign if Mr. Bhatt is not released,” he
added.
While
a protest march was organized by Citizen Forum in Patna to show their solidarity with Sanjiv
Bhatt.
Citizen
forum held the view that the arrest of Sanjiv Bhatt was unwarranted and this is
yet an attempt to quell those voices which rose to expose the Gujrat pogrom
2002.
It is
worth to be noted that In April, this year, Sanjiv Bhatt had filed an affidavit
in which he alleged that Chief Minister Narendra Modi was sole responsible for
the 2002 riots. Since then Sanjiv Bhatt became an eye sore for the Narendra
Modi.
More
than hundreds men, women, youths, from across all sections of the society
participated in the march which started from Akashwani rounabout via Patna
Junction roundabout ended at Budh Smirti Park gate. The walk started with
slogans like Fascist takte hosh me aao, Inquilab Zindabad, Narendra Modi
Murdabad, sanjivBhatt zindabad etc.
Prof
Apoorvanand from Delhi
University said Sanjiv
Bhatt arrest is another recent example how Narendra Modi Govt has been trying
to influence impartial probe of 2002 riots.
Whereas
Prof Vinay Kanth from Patna
University said fascist
forces have been trying to impose its will at any cost over us. The situation
is grim and we all should unite at this hour of need.
Social
activist, Arshad Ajmal said the arrest was made with malafide intention and was
full of malaise. We all should oppose in united voice.
The
other prominent members and speakers present on this occasion were Sudha
Verghese, Tanveer Akhatar, Pushpraj, Ashok, mahendra Yadav, Binod Kumar, Prem
Nath, Dr Shakeel, Ashok Priyadarshi, Vishwajit, Rajkumar, Anish Ankur, Anil
Kumar Chand, Shehela, Visakha, Rupesh kumar, Sarfaraz etc.
