By Musheera Ashraf, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: As the twenty-seven-year-old Jamia Millia Islamia university student Safoora Zargar was granted bail on Tuesday after the Delhi police withdrew its objection on “humanitarian grounds”, activists and students have said that the fight will continue ‘till the fascist forces are removed from the country.’
Safoora Zargar was three months pregnant when she was arrested earlier this year on conspiracy charges over the violence that broke out in February during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Safoora had participated in the protests against the new citizenship law, that saw thousands across the country taking to streets demanding to repeal the law.
“The fact that she had to spend any time at all in jail and that she is still implicated as the main conspirator in a false case shows that the reality that as a Muslim she will have a hard time convincing the judicial system and proving her innocence. And that is highly disturbing,” said Ladeeda, a student of Jamia and an active member of JCC in the anti-CAA protests.
Ladeeda said that the bail was on humanitarian grounds and the political pressure at the international level has played a huge role in the granting of bail.
Safoora Zargar, who was arrested on April 13, has been accused of obstructing the road near Jafrabad metro station during an anti-CAA stir and other serious charges.
“Safoora’s bail makes me happy but we cannot forget that there are many others still in jail. Innocent student leaders and activists who have no scope for humanitarian consideration. For them, we continue fighting,” Ladeeda said.
Ayesha Renna, another student activist who became the face of anti-CAA protests after a picture of her facing the cops attacking her friend went viral, told TwoCircles.net that she is relieved with Safoora getting bail.
“Though they have listed many conditions for bail, still this is good news after a long time. However, we have concerns over others who are still inside and others being targeted outside,” she said.
The bench of Justice Rajiv Shakhdher granted Safoora bail on furnishing a bond of Rs 10,000 on certain conditions. She is instructed that she must not indulge in the activities that may harm the investigation. She must take the court’s permission before leaving Delhi and be in touch with the investigating officer every 15 days on the phone.
For Aktarishta Ansari, a B.A final year student of Jamia Milia Islamia, granting of bail to Safoora is great news.
“We all know that she has not committed any crime. She was just raising her voice against the indiscriminate law like any other concerned citizen,’ Aktarishta said.
Aktarishta said that arresting Safoora in the middle of the pandemic and that too when she is pregnant was inhuman.
Aktarishta has been vocal for the release of Safoora. She said that “Government is using the current lockdown to witch hunt dissenting and critical voices.”
Aktarishta is thankful of everyone who raised their voice against the arresting of students and anti-CAA activists in false cases and said that, “as a result of that Modi and Shah had to bow down. But the fight must go on till all the political prisoners are free and the fascist forces are removed from the country.”
For Khalida Parveen, a Hyderabad based activist Safoora’s bail was made a political issue and was being delayed. “When a student is particular about fighting for their rights then no one can stop them from doing so. They will fight even if they die during the fight,” she said.