By TCN News,
Hyderabad: Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee (CLMC) has demanded immediate and unconditional release of Advocate Shanawaz, a Kerala based Human rights lawyer. Adv. Shanawaz was to assist lawyer of SIMI before the tribunal visiting Kerala these days, but he was arrested just a day before the hearing started.
CLMC General Secretary Lateef Mohammad Khan criticized the government for targeting innocents and even human rights activists in the name of banned group SIMI.
“It is matter of deep concern that government is targeting even human rights defenders in the name of SIMI which was banned in the year 2001. One generation has passed off and still the innocents are being targeted on the name of SIMI. It is also noticeable that whenever a tribunal is formed for the purpose of review on ban on SIMI, Indian government agencies stages shows and episodes by targeting Muslims to justify the ban on SIMI. Recent arrest of number of Muslim youths from different parts of India and in the capital city Delhi and recent Ghalib episode and allegations on the arrangements of AIMPLB meeting at Bombay, and the arrest of Advocate Shahnawaz, all these should be seen in the context of preparatory ground of giving a reason for the continuation of ban on SIMI,” Khan said in a statement.
He says the trend is violating fundamental rights. “It is a matter of shame for the democratic country like India where freedom of expression is considered as fundamental right. But this right is violated by forming the ‘Hi-tech Cell’ by Kerala crime branch and spying the emails of Muslim individuals and organizations which is also the violation of right to privacy.”
He demanded unconditional release of Advocate Shahnawaz and protection of his life and liberty. He also demanded the government to stop targeting Muslim youth on the name of SIMI, and withdraw the ban on SIMI “because the ban is undemocratic and is against the spirit of Indian constitution.”