By TCN News,
Thiruvananthapuram: PDP chairman Abdunnasir Maudany should be released unconditionally from Karnataka jail immediately, demanded a joint statement signed by more than 150 civil rights activists and organizations all over the country. The statement strongly condemned the torture meted out to Maudany in the jail and demanded that all fake cases cooked up against him should be withdrawn.
The violation of human rights against Maudany is the proof for the fact that religious minorities are considered as second-class citizens in this largest secular country. Were it in another country, Maudany would have to be given a huge sum as compensation for having spent a long term as under-trial in jail accused in the Coimbatore blasts before being released finding him innocent. The statement expressed shock at the increase of saffronisation in the administration and police.
Certain media report the versions of the police and administration only and this is not the right way. The Karnataka government is framing cases upon former journalist of ‘Tehelka’ KK Shahina also as she tried to bring out the truth behind the Maudany case. The government and its agencies are portraying all Muslims as terrorists. The existence of the Indian democracy lies in creating an atmosphere where Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims can live without any fear.
The activists who signed the statement included Anand Patwardhan, Dr Binayak Sen, Arundhati Roy, Kavitha Srivastava (PUCL), K Sachithanandan (poet), Jameela Prakasom (Kerala MLA), Dr Ilena Sen, Dr Sebastian Paul (ex-MP), KEN Kunjahammed, Bha Surendra Babu, Rev Fr Abraham Joseph, K Ajitha, Gro Vasu, Civic Chandran, O Abdurahman (Madhyamam daily), PA Pauran (PUCL), Prafulla Samanth Rai, T Arifali (Jamat e Islami), CR Neelakandan etc.
The organizations that signed the statement included Environment Support Group, Solidarity Youth Movement, PUCL, Karnataka Vidyarthi Sangha, Samanatha Mahila Vedike, Janshakthi , Karnataka Komu Sauhardha Vedike, Human Rights Alert, Kerala Dalit Mahasabha, Action for Social Equality, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Human Rights Law Network etc.