A Dalit PhD scholar in student leader from Allahabad University was booked by Azamgarh police after his Facebook post in which he questioned International security issues, the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal and the silence of Modi government on alleged corruption and losses during the recent Indo Pak conflict.
In this post Manish Kumar questioned, “why has the Modi government not yet denied the reports that claim India lost multiple Rafale jets during the conflict? Why has there been no transparency and clarification? He further questioned the financial side of the Rafale deal hinting at the involvement of Ambani for corporate interests.
Manish is the state president of the All India Students Association which is the student wing of the communist Party of India.
Following his post, an FIR was registered on May 14 at Katharipur police station under sections of Bharatiya nyay Sanhita pertaining to inciting public disorder and misleading online content.
Several student groups and civil society activists came forward in support of Manish calling the FIR an attack on free speech and an attempt to silence dissent.
Condemning the actions of police the AISA stated, “The FIR against comrade Manish is not an exception. It is a part of a countrywide assault on descent launched after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. In Jammu and Kashmir, over 3000 arrests have taken place. In Assam, 42 people were jailed for ‘Pro Pakistan post.’
In Uttar Pradesh alone, 30 people have been arrested and 40 FIRs have been lodged. Across India, students, artists, and citizens are being targeted. This is not democracy. This is rule by fear.”
Manish has not been arrested yet but police say that legal action is underway. Meanwhile the rights group plans to challenge the FIR in court.
Courtesy : Muslim Mirror
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