TCN News
The Socialist Party of India has initiated a petition demanding the immediate release of activist Anand Teltumbde and dropping of all charges against him.
Renowned scholar and activist, Dr Teltumbde was lodged into custody on April 14 by the National Investigation Agency with the Elgar Parishad gathering becoming the basis of his arrest. In addition, he was slapped with UAPA on accusations of conspiring against the government and having close links with Maoists.
Over 170 international academicians and professionals from major global institutions – including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Oxford, Stanford University, University of Toronto, Indian Community Activists Network, Boston University, University of California, Trisakti University – Indonesia, University of New Mexico, University of Colorado and Hindus for Human Rights have endorsed the petition. Major Indian professionals network and youth forums from Supreme Court of India, IIT Bombay, Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU, Osmania University, Indian Catholic Forum, Indian Statistical Institute, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, NALSAR University of Law, IIT Kharagpur, University of Delhi, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, BITS Pilani, IIT Delhi and others have voiced their support for the same.
The Party has refuted false charges against Dr Teltumbde, citing them as “dubious and contrived” with “no factual basis.” It has resonated that the unfair imprisonment and non-bailable warrant against the 68-year-old scholar at the time of COVID-19 pandemic is “even more unconscionable,” him being an asthma patient.
The Party has extended a detailed record of his stellar achievement in both academics and social activism in its petition for people to understand that police is actually perpetuating the government’s fascist propaganda through intimidation of rights workers and scholars.
“Even basic civil liberties are under threat,” reminded the SPI statement of its concerns about the recent arrests of activists in India citing that it only reveals the increasingly threatening political climate in the country. While the Party strongly contested Dr Teltumbde’s brilliant activism history through a timeline of events and involvements, it has further stated that “other human rights activists are being denied a fair trial” and are “victims of harassment and arbitrary arrests” in the state-backed witch hunt campaign.