Condemn the illegal abduction and custodial torture of activists by Delhi Police!

The Delhi Police has scaled new heights of barbarity since it has come completely into the hands of the fascist BJP-government. Already notorious for its repressive methods, Delhi Police has worked in overdrive in the past few months, trying to crush every voice of dissent. The latest of these attacks is the illegal abduction of several activists from July 9-12th, and the ensuing torture they had to face in police custody. The Delhi Police, without any warrant or intimation, took students Gurkirat, Gaurav and Guaraang (bsCEM), Ehtmam ul-Haq and Baadal (FACAM) into custody in Delhi. Activist and psychologist Samrat Singh was detained outside the bounds of Delhi Police jurisdiction in Haryana, once again without warrant.

Every single law and due process was violated, and these illegal arrests were also instances of brutal police torture. It is reported that the detainees were stripped naked, beaten, electrocuted and abused. Female activists also received graphic rape threats and the activists’ heads were also submerged in toilet bowls. It is being reported that another student activist, Rudra, has been missing since 19th July. There is enough reason to believe this is the latest in the string of illegal abductions by the Delhi Police.

This grave and condemnable violation of our democratic and civil rights is the latest fascist offensive to crush every voice of dissent. Through their vast propaganda-machine, the fascists have erected an enemy by the name of “Urban Naxal”, and have stamped anyone who threatens their hegemony or questions injustice under that label. From professors and poets to activists and students, the fascists have unleashed witch-hunts against anyone who questions them. Hundreds of activists are losing years in jail without so much as a bail hearing. UAPA is being slapped on the flimsiest grounds, but we can see how the judicial system is not working on the side of justice and democracy either, and is letting these cases stand and even releasing extremely reactionary judgements.

What we see before us is the complete internal takeover of state machinery by the fascists. We see it happening at the level our of university and college campuses as well. Students who are raising their voice against communalism, privatisation, lack of democratic space, who are talking about injustice anywhere in the world, are being met with suspensions, expulsions, and now, even illegal abductions and torture. This cannot go on for long, because with every such dastardly attempt by the rulers, more and more voices will rise in dissent. It is only collectively that we can fight against the fascist attack on our rights, our education, our future.

Disha Students’ Organization demands:

1. Release Rudra immediately.

2. Immediate, independent inquiry into the illegal arrests and custodial torture by Delhi Police.

3. Stringent and prompt punishment of all officials guilty of these crimes.

We appeal to the democratic students, civil society members and citizens to raise their voices today, because an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the fundamental democratic rights of every citizen today. Together, we must fight for our rights and ensure that the fascist attack on them is resisted collectively and uncompromisingly.