We are writing in support of an April 6th protest to “Defend Democracy, Constitution, and Human Rights in India,” which will take place at the Indian Consulate in New York City at 1:30 pm on 3 East 64th Street (between 5th and Madison Avenues).

The event protests the suppression of dissent in India in general and the arrest of those framed in the Bhima Koregaon case in particular, including Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj, Anand Teltumbde, and others.

January 1, 2018 marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, an event celebrated by many activists as an advance in the struggle against the caste-based oppression of Dalits. At this event last year, over 250 groups organized a conference promoting the interests of Dalits and denouncing Hindu nationalism. Right-wing extremists agitated for violence against Dalits and attacked the protest which resulted in injuries to many and at least one death. The legal charges initially filed against the right-wing forces who instigated the violence were later dropped. Despite the broad-based sponsorship of the protest and events, authorities later claimed the event was orchestrated by the banned Communist Part of India (Maoist). This was used as justification to round up a series of progressive intellectuals, poets, human rights lawyers, and civil liberties activists. Despite the fact that many of the activists arrest did not participate in the Bhima Koregaon events, as well as other inconsistencies in the police’s charge sheets, the Indian Supreme Court later upheld the arrest of these venerable activists. They now also stand accused of working in conspiracy with the Maoist party to assassinate Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi.

This preposterous accusation is part of a broader trend in India where all those who protest and organize against outrages and oppression are labeled as “Naxalites.” These most recent arrests are also related to the outrageous continued imprisonment of Professor G.N. Saibaba, who remains in jail, and who is still being denied basic medical care. His arrest and conviction, based solely on the testimony of coached police officers, was a harbinger of these more recent arrests and the ongoing crackdown on all forms of dissent in India.

The Indian State’s ongoing crimes against the peoples of South Asia are increasingly known around the world. Those of us in the United States have a particularly important responsibility to expose these crimes, and to join in the struggle against these outrages committed by the Indian state, which receives significant support from the U.S. government. We hope that as many groups and individuals as possible can support this protest, and follow its example by building related resistance in other locations. With an increased danger of military conflict between India and Pakistan, and an increase in inter-imperialist military and economic tension on a global scale, the need for progressive voices to unite against such oppressive trends is greater than ever.

The event is co-sponsored by Aazaad Lab, the Alliance for a Democratic and Secular South Asia, AAP New Jersey, CDCD - Coalition for the Defense of the Constitution and Democracy, Coalition for a Democratic India, Dalit Solidarity Forum (DSF), Free Saibaba Coalition—US, Indian American Muslim Council, India Civil Watch, Indian Bahujan Organization (IBO), NRISAD, NY Global Standout Group, NYC India-Pakistan Peace Group, Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI) Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, and Woodside Gurudwara.