Deploying the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Indian authorities decisively moved to detain eminent Indian scholar Dr. Anand Teltumbde and human rights activist Gautam Navlakha on April 14, 2020. Dr. Teltumbde, friend to the Dalit movement in Nepal, has written extensively about the caste system and has tirelessly advocated for the rights of Dalits. He cared about the constitutional reforms in Nepal and wanted to see that the flaws visible to him in the Indian Constitution were not repeated in Nepal.
These politically motivated arrests, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, appears to us as a message not only to Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and other minorities in India but also to those in other parts of the subcontinent who have looked to the example of India’s secular and democratic innovations for inspiration. On behalf of the Nepali public, we strongly condemn these unjust arrests, especially in the context when even repressive regimes in other parts of the world are releasing political prisoners in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Indian authorities have laid absurd allegations against Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha of seeking to overthrow the Indian government. This bizarre persecution by the Indian police started after the retaliatory violence by anti-Dalit vigilantes following Dalit protests and recognition of Bhima Koregoan in January 2018. Nine human rights activists (Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Shoma Sen, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Arun Ferreira, Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, and Vernon Gonsalves) have already been incarcerated for almost two years now in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case, with no sign of a trial commencing. All of them have been booked under the UAPA making bail impossible. This makes a mockery of the jurisprudence granting bail as a right.
In carrying out the arrests of Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha (both senior individuals), the Indian government demonstrates a galling neglect of the risks to their health. The death of either individual under Indian custody, a real possibility during the COVID-19 crisis, would be a stain on the conscience of the world.
It is outrageous that the Indian government, instead of defending human rights and securing the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, is cracking down on the very people who fight for justice in India. More disturbingly, public comments by political actors have indicated that Dr. Teltumbde was singled out precisely because of his Dalit identity and activism. These measures by the Indian government are effectively an attempt to create a culture of state terror in the region. This is a violation of democratic principles as well as a dismissal of Dalit dissent.
We staunchly denounce the rise of these tactics in South Asian nations and beyond, and we call upon the Indian government to live up to the spirit of the Constitution and cease these assaults on civil liberties.
We, the undersigned, call upon Dalit, Adivasi/Janajati, OBC, and other minority leaders throughout the world to seek the preservation of justice and equity.
We stand in solidarity with those who fight for justice and those who safeguard Dalit rights. Signed by:
- Aahuti Aahuti, Public Intellectual, Kathmandu
- Aarti Basnyat, London, UK
- Abhilash Acharya, Educator, Kathmandu
- Agya Poudyal, Oxford, UK
- Alina Saba, Researcher & Activist, Lalitpur
- Amar Bk, Writer and Researcher, Kathmandu
- Amina Singh, Adjunct Faculty, Kathmandu University, Kathmandu
- Amish Raj Mulmi, Writer/Editor, Kathmandu
- Amita Sharma, Lawyer, Kathmandu
- Amuda Mishra, Gender Expert, Kathmandu
- Anish Shrestha, Youth Social Activist, Kathmandu
- Anup Baral, Actor, Director and Conceptual Artist, Actors’ Studio, Kathmandu
- Anushila Bhattarai, Activist, Kathmandu
- Archana Thapa, Writer, Akshar Creations Nepal, Kathmandu
- Aryan Rajak, Actor & Social Activist, Kathmandu
- Ashmina Ranjit, Artivist, LASANAA, Kathmandu
- Atul Bhattarai, Writer, Kathmandu
- Babita Rai, Activist and Writer, Dharan
- Balram Prasad Raut, Assistant Professor, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
- Bandana Dhakal, Writer,
- Bandana Sharma, Development Consultant
- Bandana Sinha, Activist, Kathmandu
- Basanta Ranjitkar, Activist, LASANAA, Kathmandu
- Basudha Gurung, Advisor, FIAN Nepal, Kathmandu
- Bhogiraj Chamling, Writer and Researcher, Khotang
- Bhola Paswan, Writer and Researcher, Saptari
- Bikash Basnet, Writer, Kathmandu
- Bikash Shrestha, Journalist, Kathmandu
- Bikkil Sthapit, Activist, Kathmandu
- Bimal Khadka, Principal, K&K College, Kathmandu
- Binda Pandey, Trade Union/Political activist, Kathmandu
- Binod Bikram Kc, Poet, Kathmandu
- Brabim Kumar, Activist, Kathmandu
- Bunu Dhungana, Nepal Picture Library, Kathmandu
- Chandreshwor Das, Activist, Dhanusha
- Chandreshwor Sada, Activist, Dhanusha
- Charan Prasain, Human Rights Activist, Kathmandu
- Deepak Adhikari, Journalist, Kathmandu
- Deepak Paudel, Educator, Kathmandu
- Deepak Thapa, Researcher, Kathmandu
- Dewan Rai, Writer, Kathmandu
- Dhana Kumari Sunar, Poet and Activist, Kathmandu
- Dikshya Khadka, Community Leader, Kathmandu
- Dil Karki, MD Nepal Memorable Tours, Kathmandu
- Dinesh Kafle, Writer, Kathmandu
- Dipendra Paswan, Saptari
- Dishebh Raj Shrestha, Graphic Designer, Square Studio, Kathmandu
- Diwas Raja Kc, Nepal Picture Library, Kathmandu
- Dovan Rai, Writer and Researcher, Kathmandu
- Gopal Krishna Shiwakoti, President, INHURED International, Kathmandu
- Renu Adhikari, Founding Chairperson, WOREC, Kathmandu
- Sachin Ghemere, Medical Anthropologist, Kathmandu
- Saroj Dhital, General Surgeon, Kathmandu
- Vishnu Singh Rai, Writer, Kathmandu
- Dwarika Thebe, Writer & Researcher, Ilam
- Ekal Silwal, Journalist, Kathmandu
- Ganesh Bk, Chairperson, RDN Nepal,
- Geeta Sharma, Protection Expert, Kathmandu
- Gurung Sushanta, Writer, Bhaktapur
- Harinandan Ambedkar, Activist, Sarlahi
- Heema Rai, Agricultural Engineer, Khotang
- Hemanta Kumar Khatiwada, Sydney, Australia
- Indira Ghale, Human Rights Activist and Social Worker, Kathmandu
- Ishwari Bhattarai, Researcher, Lalitpur
- Ishwor Shrestha, Buddhist Academician, Kathmandu
- Itisha Giri, Writer and Podcaster, Madrid
- B. Biswokarma, Chairperson, Dignity Initiative, Kathmandu
- Janak Rai, Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
- Janardan Thapa, West Bengal, India
- Jay Poudyal, Photographer, Stories of Nepal, Kathmandu
- JB Pun Magar, Journalist, Kathmandu
- Kabin Maleku, Pharmacist, Kathmandu
- Kabita Bahing Rai, Kathmandu
- Kabita Parajuli, Attorney, Portland, Oregon
- Kalyan Pokhrel, Executive Member, Supreme Court Bar Association, Nepal
- Kamal Pathak, Kathmandu
- Karan Shrestha, Artist & Filmmaker, Kathmandu
- Karma Tshering Gurung, Photographer, Kathmandu
- Kashiram Dhungana, Human Rights Lawyer, Kathmandu
- Khem Shreesh, Researcher, Kathmandu
- Khyamu “Gaunle” Biswokarma, Dalit Activist and Researcher, Kathmandu
- Kishor Sharma, Photographer, Kathmandu
- Kripa Dongol, Geographer, University of Colorado, Boulder
- Krishna Gopal Ranjit, Artist, Kathmandu
- Krishna Maharjan, Communication Engineer/Disability Rights Activist, Lalitpur
- Kumudini Gurung, Shikshya Foundation Nepal, Kathmandu
- Kumud Rana, Researcher, UK/Nepal
- Leah Everest, Newzealand
- Lhamo Yangchen Sherpa, Sr. Advisor Research & M&E, Kathmandu
- Luna Ranjit, Writer, Kathmandu
- Luv Yadav, Educator, Kathmandu
- Madhusudhan Subedi, Professor, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
- Mallika Aryal, Journalist, Oslo, Norway
- Mandira Sharma, Human Rights Advocate and Researcher, UK/Nepal
- Mani Sharma, Publisher, Sangrila Books, Kathmandu
- Manjushree Thapa, Author, Toronto
- Manoj Paswan, Human Rights Activist, Sarlahi
- Manushi Yami Bhattarai, Samajwadi Party, Kathmandu
- Matina Maharjan, Architect, Kathmandu
- Mausham Shakya, Psychological Well-Being Coach, Kathmandu
- Milan Kumar Singh Tharu, Educator, Kathmandu
- Mohan Kumar Karn, Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance, Kathmandu
- Mukesh Jha, Madhesi Youth Leader, Kathmandu
- Muna Gurung, Writer, Kathmandu
- Nasala Chitrakar, Poet and Educator, Kathmandu
- Nayan P. Sindhuliya, Researcher, Kathmandu
- NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati, Photo Circle, Kathmandu
- Nirajan Thapaliya, Rights Activist, Kathmandu
- Niraj lawoju, Writer and Activist, Bhaktapur
- Niranjan Kunwar, Writer and Educational Consultant, Kathmandu
- Nirvaya Subedi, Writer, Kathmandu
- Nischal Neupane, Researcher, Amherst, USA
- Nyima Dorjee, Researcher, Kathmandu
- Pemba Sherpa, Aviation, Solukhumbu
- Phurwa D. Gurung, Geographer, University of Colorado Boulder, USA
- Pooja Pant, VOW Media, Kathmandu
- Prabindra Shakya, Community Empowerment and Social Justice Network, Nepal
- Pradip Pariyar, Samata Foundation, Lalitpur
- Pradipta Kadambari, Principal, Kadambari Memorial College, Kathmandu
- Prakash Aryal, Lawyer, Kathmandu
- Prakash Mahara, Human Rights Activist, Kathmandu
- Pranab Man Singh, Quixote’s Cove, Kathmandu
- Pranaya Rana, The Kathmandu Post, Kathmandu
- Pranika Koyu, Poet, Kathmandu
- Prasiit Sthapit, Photographer, Fuzz Factory Productions, Kathmandu
- Pratima Thakali, Artist, Kathmandu
- Praveen Kumar Yadav, Activist and Researcher, Kathmandu
- Prawin Adhikari, Writer, Lalitpur
- Priyanka Bista, KTK-BELT, Kathmandu
- Rabindra Baniya, Actor, Kathmandu
- Rabin Sayami, Cartoonist, Kathmandu
- Ragendra Nath Shrestha, Kathmandu
- Rahul Rajak, Law Student, Rautahat
- Rajendra Maharjan, Writer, Kathmandu
- Rajkumar Paswan, Saptari
- Raj Rajak, Ambedkarite and Bahujan activist, Kathmandu
- Raju Prasad Chapagai, Constitutional/Human Rights Lawyer, Kathmandu
- Raju Sarkar, Human Right Activist, Kathmandu
- Raju Syangtan, Poet, Kathmandu
- Raju Yonjan, Art Entrepreneur, Kathmandu
- Rakesh Dongol, System Engineer, Kathmandu
- Rakesh Kayastha, Filmmaker, Kathmandu
- Rakesh Mishra, Social Activist, Biratnagar
- Raksha Ram Harijan, Advocate, Kathmandu
- Ramesh Singh, International Development Consultant, Bangkok
- Ram Gurung, Writer and Researcher, Kathmandu
- Ram Kumar Bhandari, Social Justice Activist, Kathmandu
- Ram Shrestha, Researcher, Global Institute for Policy Studies, Kathmandu
- Riban Mangrati, Dalit Readers, Kathmandu
- Rita Baramu, Body & Data, Kathmandu
- Rochak Dahal, Lalitpur
- Rojita Adhikari, Writer, Kathmandu
- Rukamanee Maharjan, Assistant Professor, Nepal Law Campus
- Rukh Gurung, Researcher, Kathmandu
- Rukshana Kapali, Queer Rights Activist, Kathmandu
- Rupak Shrestha, Geographer, Boulder, Colorado
- Rup Sunar, Dignity Initiative, Kathmandu
- Rushil Shakya, Technologist, NYC/Kathmandu
- Sabin Ninglekhu, Researcher, Nanyang Technological University
- Sabitri Gautam, Writer, Pokhara
- Sagar Chhetri, Photographer, photo.circle, Kathmandu
- Sagarika Bhatta, Powershift Nepal, Kathmandu
- Sagar Manandhar, Artist, Kathmandu
- Samip Dhungel, Poet, Kathmandu
- Sampreety Gurung, Cornell University, USA
- Samrat Katwal, Development Worker, Kathmandu
- Sandesh Ghimire, Student, University of Minnesota, USA
- Sangeet Srota, Writer, Kathmandu
- Sangita Thebe Limbu, Researcher/Graduate Student, Oxford, UK
- Sanjay Sharma, PhD Scholar, Singapore
- Sanjay Yadav, Youth Leader, Human Rights Activist, Rautahat
- Sanjeev Maharjan, Visual Artist/Art Educator, Kathmandu
- Sanjeev Uprety, Writer, Kathmandu
- Sanjog Thakuri, Feminist Activist, Kathmandu
- Santosh Pariyar, Educator, Kathmandu
- Sarita Pariyar, Darnal Award for Social Justice, Kathmandu
- Sarita Tiwari, Writer, Chitawan
- Shailendra Ambedkar, Human Rights Lawyer, Bhairahawa
- Sharareh Bajracharya, Art Educator, Srijanalaya, Kathmandu
- Shikhar Bhattarai, Photographer, photo.circle, Kathmandu
- Shiva Hari Gyawali, Writer, Kathmandu
- Shova Ranjit, Housewife, Kathmandu
- Shradha Ghale, Writer, Kathmandu
- Shrochis Karki, Researcher, Oxford UK
- Shubha Kayastha, Body & Data, Bhaktapur
- Sirjana Pant, Public Health Worker, Kathmandu
- Slesh Shrestha, Professor of Economics, Singapore
- Smriti Rai, Development Professional, Dharan
- Sohan Prasad Sha, Researcher, Kathmandu
- Sona Katik, Kapilvastu
- Sophia Pande, Kathmandu
- Subima Shrestha, Kathmandu
- Subina Shrestha, Journalist, Filmmaker
- Sudhir Shah, International Marketing Manager, Kathmandu
- Sujan Chitrakar, Artist, Kathmandu
- Sumitra Bogati, Spoken Word Poet, Kathmandu
- Sumitra Manandhar Gurung, Mahila Sahayatra, Chitlang
- Sunil Kumar Sarbariya, Dalit Activist, Sapatari
- Sunil Shakya, Indigenous Art Promoter, Kathmandu
- Supriya Manandhar, Artist, Lalitpur
- Suresh Kiran, Poet, Kathmandu
- Suresh Thapa, Software Engineer, Lalitpur
- Sushan Acharya, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
- Sushma Joshi, Writer and Filmmaker, Kathmandu
- Suvani Singh, Quixote’s Cove, Kathmandu
- Tashi Tsering Tewa, Washington University in Saint Louis, USA
- Tripty Tamang Pakhrin, photo.circle, Kathmandu
- Tsering D Gurung, Writer/Journalist, Kathmandu
- Tula Narayan Shah, Activist, Nepal Madhesh Foundation, Kathmandu
- Ujjwala Maharjan, Poet, Educator, Word Warriors, Kathmandu
- Ujjwal Prasai, Writer Activist, Kathmandu
- Weena Pun, Cornell University, USA
- Yug Pathak, Writer, Kathmandu
- Yuqtilal Marik, Chair, Dalit Sarokar Manch Nepal, Kathmandu
- Yutsha Dahal, Nepal Picture Library, Kathmandu
