A day after the Zakia Jafri case was dismissed by the Supreme Court, human rights activist and journalist Teesta Setalvad was detained from her Mumbai home.
After much persistence and a bruise on the 60-year-old’s arm, the Gujarat ATS produced an FIR full of trumped-up charges of criminal conspiracy and forgery against Setalvad.
Former Gujarat State DGP and 2002 riots whistle-blower RB Sreekumar was named as her co-conspirator and also arrested.
But keen-eyed journalists, activists and lawyers noticed the manner in which these charges had materialised shortly after the Supreme Court dismissed the Zakia Jafri case. The court, in its judgement deemed Setalvad’s involvement in the case as malicious.
However, as soon as these charges were levied on the human rights defender and whistle-blower, activists, collectives, unions and individuals gathered to condemn the government for this blatant crackdown on the people who dared to ask tough questions.
Hardly four days after the arrest, over 20 city-wide protests, 10 solidarity statements across the globe made the news – all decrying the government for penalising those who demand accountability. While this map does not map the solidarity tweets made by Indian ministers, national and international dignitaries, it provides a nominal view of the slew of support for the veteran activists from parts as remote as the Adivasi dominated regions of Uttar Pradesh.
Related:
Teesta Setalvad inspires art from behind bars
Chorus demanding justice for Teesta Setalvad grows louder!
Ahmedabad court remands Teesta Setalvad to police custody till July 1
Support pours in for Teesta Setalvad
Release Teesta Setalvad: Indian Human Rights groups and activists
PRESS RELEASE: Teesta Setalvad roughed up as Gujarat ATS personnel barge into her home
I fear for my life: Teesta Setalvad allegedly roughed up by Gujarat ATS personnel