StudentsPledge Date 28.05.2023 –
Condemning the arrest of protesting wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, several activists and prominent leaders of social movements who were en route to participate in the Mahapanchayat at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi in solidarity with the protesting wrestlers, AIDSO General Secretary Sourav Ghosh has issued the following statement to the press:
He said, “Few metres away from the new parliament, which the Prime Minister of India is inaugurating as the ‘temple of democracy’, democratic rights are being assailed and violated by Delhi Police with backing from the Central Government. Today at Jantar Mantar, a ‘Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat’ was called in support of the protesting wrestlers. Today’s demonstration was expected to include many well-known individuals and leaders of various organisations. However, in blatant violation of democratic rights, Delhi police have detained, arrested, or placed under house arrest several leaders this morning to prevent the Mahapanchayat including the leaders of All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS) and All India Kisan Khetmazdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS), our fraternal organisations. Later, hundreds of protesters, including numerous AIDSO activists, were detained while demonstrating at Jantar Mantar.
These arrests are nothing more than a fascist attack on the basic right of every citizen to struggle against injustice on the day the new parliament is being inaugurated amid great pomp. It is alarming that the Central Government will go to whatever lengths to defend its MP, who is charged with sexual harassment and is a POCSO Act convict! The AIDSO All India Committee unequivocally condemns this assault on democratic rights and demands the immediate release of all the leaders associated with the wrestlers’ movement. It also urges all progressive individuals and citizens to get forward to forge a potent resistance movement in support of our wrestlers and to defend democratic rights.”
