Poliice intimidation of Anhad activists in Gujarat -Anhad press release 28 January 2011

Press Release

28 January 2011

POLICE COMES KNOCKING TO INTIMIDATE ANHAD

Anhad formed in 2003 in response to the Gujarat carnage of 2002 and the blatant killing of over 2000 Muslims, raping of hundreds of women and dislocating over 150,000 families in the wake of the state sponsored carnage has been working in Gujarat for the past eight years.

It has fought for the rights of the internally displaced, for 2002 victims, it was in the forefront of getting POTA repealed and getting the 2002 victims compensation package from the central government.

Anhad has stood up for the human rights violations of every section of the people including women, Dalits, adivasis and Minorities in Gujarat. It has also extensively intervened with the youth and have organised hundreds of programmes covering every single district of Gujarat to spread the message of peace, communal harmony, to safeguard the Indian Constitution which has been under attack in Gujarat, has fought for the freedom of expression in Gujarat.

Anhad has constantly celebrated cultural pluralism and composite culture and have organised huge programmes in Gujarat.

Today two policemen came knocking at Anhad office from Shahpur police station around 2pm.

Our State coordinator Manisha Trivedi was present at the office.

They intimidated her by saying that Anhad is doing anti-state activities here. Does your landlord know that you are running an office here which is anti-state and government, giving a clear indication that they would pressurise the landlord to ask Anhad to vacate the office space.

They took down Manisha's home address, telephone and names of everyone who works in Anhad, their parents name and addresses.

They further said you are supporting Sanjeev Bhatt who is against Modi.

We want to ask several questions from the State Government:

1. Have you declared an independent country where the Indian Constitution doesn't apply?

2. If the Indian Constitution allows freedom of speech, protest , descent then how come it is not allowed in Gujarat.

Gujarat goverment is constatntly tragetting upright officers and any officer who dare to stand against the state is intimiated, anyone, any organisation coming in defence of such officers is intimidated.

We want the amicus curie and the Supreme Court to take note of the fact that any form of descent is crushed in Gujarat.

We strongly condemn this intimidation by the State police and wish to inform the state of Gujarat to lay its hands off from civil society groups who are working for justice and equality of every citizen.

Shabnam Hashmi June 28, 2011