Hon’ble President of India

Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi 110001

Memorandum

Police Action Against Peace Activists Must Stop

It is unfortunate that the victims of gruesome violence on Gulbarg Society, Amhedabad in 2002 have not achieved justice. The lady, Teesta Setalvad, who stood with them under severe threats to her life, has been put behind the bars on June 25, 2022. On June 24, the Supreme Court Bench had upheld the SIT clean chit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, the Courtoverlooked the second half of the problem.  In all acts of terror and barbarism, police and investigating agencies come up with master minds behind the acts. How could they not find any master mind in this case? Teesta only tried to lift the survivors from gravest state of trauma and point to the state it had failed in its constitutional duty to safeguard lives of its citizens. This is what Gandhi would do. It is not Teesta, DGP Sree Kumar or DIG Sanjeev Bhatt who tried to sensationalize or politicize the violence, as is obvious from the fact that not for a minute in last 20 years they have reaped any advantage. In fact exactly opposite has happened. The anti-Muslim sentiment that was behind 2002 violence has become the dominant political force in the country while those who speak out have been increasingly marginalized.

We urge the Government of India to run the institution of state on the principle of truth, justice and equality of all citizens, and respect the people who stood for these values under heavy odds. It must stop all proceedings against Teesta Setalvad, Sree Kumar and others. Intimidation of truth-seeking journalists like Zubair on whimsical grounds must also stop. 

We express deep anguish over the gruesome killing of a tailor in Udaipur Every act of barbarism, intimidation,lynching, rioting and repression is grave injustice and must stop.