Last weekend members of the Free Saibaba Coalition – U.S. gathered at the Indian consulate in New York City alongside many other organizations to protest against the crackdown on democratic rights and the suppression of dissent in India. Participants called for the release of G.N. Saibaba from prison, and for the charges to be dropped against activists targeted in the Bhima Koregaon case, including Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Surendra Gadling, Gautam Navlakha, and others. Speakers also demanded the repeal of draconian laws including the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act). It was hopeful and inspiring to see so many people come together to oppose the crackdown on democratic rights in India.
We know from letters published by Vasantha, G.N. Saibaba's wife, that his medical situation is dire. We need to struggle for his release, because his life hangs in the balance. If the kind of outrageous attacks on free speech and basic democratic rights that Saibaba has suffered continue, the situation for all people in India will become increasingly dire. All of us need to come together and stand with the people of India against the rising tide of fascism and saffron terror.
This cause is particularly important here in the U.S., due to the increasingly close ties between the U.S. and Indian governments. The U.S. and India recently signed a major military and intelligence agreement, COMCASA, which established a framework for “real time” intelligence sharing and military cooperation between the countries. This agreement also facilitates the sale of the latest U.S. military hardware to India, including armed drones.
U.S. imperialism is a key enemy of the Indian people. One aspect of this is U.S.-based multinational corporations making money hand over fist from the open looting of India’s mineral resources. Another aspect is U.S. participation in the suppression of People’s movements and resistance against mining and displacement. The U.S. has supplied arms, training, and advice to the Indian government to help launch campaigns like Salwa Judum, Operation Green Hunt, and now Samadhan. These brutal attacks on the people of India must be strongly opposed by all progressive and democratic people here in the U.S.
The U.S. is also home to a large number of progressive non-resident Indians (NRIs), who can and should stand in opposition to Brahminical Hindu fascism and attacks on democratic rights and freedoms.
We in the Free Saibaba Coalition – U.S. will keep up the pressure, and we will keep showing up outside the consulate for more actions like this, in support of the Indian people's struggle for democratic rights and for a life free from poverty and oppression.
Free G.N. Saibaba now, and drop the phony charges in the Bhima Koregaon frame-up!
Read more about the protest:
https://www.indiaabroad.com/indian-americans/pro-democracy-rally-decries-hindutva-anti-minority-violence/article_ca21e0f2-5cdf-11e9-8c60-cb4d5610ad1b.html
http://twocircles.net/2019apr09/430503.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhgzarLOS-o