Romila Thapar, others petition Supreme court against arrest of 5 human rights activists

The arrest of five human rights activists across 5 states by the Pune police, on Tuesday, 28.8.2018 , in relation to Bhima-Koregaon violence has united the opposition and human rights groups, who have categorically condemned the arrests after following improper procedures, with scarce respect for law.

The five arrested are poet and Virasam founder, Varavara Rao from Hyderabad, Gautam Navalakha, Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves.

In this connection, on Wednesday, 29.8.2018, prominent intellectuals, including Romila Thapar have petitioned the Supreme court asking for immediate release of the activists. The petition claims the arrests were an attempt to muzzle dissenting voices, who have fought for the rights of the dispossessed for decades. The court will hear the matter at 3.45 pm on Wednesday.