India - Punjab intellectuals against arrests

JOINT STATEMENT BY PUNJAB INTELLECTUALS AGAIST ATTACK ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Opposing the fascist and undemocratic steps of falsely implicating human rights defenders in a fabricated case of conspiracy to kill PM Modi and planning overthrow of present regime, 
Let’s come together in defense of democracy and the oppressed and exploited people!
On august 27, the Pune  police raided the houses of several prominent democratic rights activists, and  those who have been raising strong voices against oppression of dalits ,tribals and minorities. Advocate Sudha Bhardwaj, Varvara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Farera and Vernon Gonsalves were arrested. Police also raided houses of press reporter Kumarnath, priest and activist Stan Swami, democratic rights activist and author Anand Teltumbde and members of Revolutionary Writers Association – Aseem and Kranti. Police seized their laptops, harddisks, mobile phones, diaries and other electronic equipment, without providing them copies of the data stored on these devices. We all strongly condemn these repressive steps. In a democratic country such repressive measures against the people should never be undertaken. 

The police has clearly aimed, through these vicious acts to falsely implicate these activists  in Bheema-Koregaon violence case, falsely implicate them in the alleged plot to kill PM Modi and to spread rebellion in the country, because these activists have been stoutly raising their voice against the severe repression, unleashed by Modi Govt against dalits, minorities, tribals and toiling masses; continuously unmasking the undeclared emergency imposed upon Indian people by the Modi govt.; and its patronage and protection of lynching-mobs and Hindutva terrorism. Modi Govt wants to stifle these voices by putting them behind bars in fabricated cases, as it has done in to other intellectuals, human rights defenders, artists and lawyers, earlier in Bhima-Koregaon case.
Going beyond this, a two-fold wicked move is underway, by raising the bogey of the alleged conspiracy to kill Modi. On the one hand, on the pretext of danger to Modi’s life ground is being prepared to launch an all-out violent onslaught on the democratic rights of the people and unleasing communal and State violence against human rights defenders. It is in fact the continuation of  such steps undertaken in the past to usher in totalitarianism regimes, like the Reichtag (German Parliamen) fire and Baroda Dynamite plot in India which were used as tools to facilitate and justify the  emergence of Hitler and Indira Gandhi as dictators. BJP mandarins  are also making preparations to win 2019 elections by raising the bogey pf danger to Modi’s life. To achieve it, mischievous and misleading propaganda  blitz – in which Sangh-parivar enjoys extra-ordinary skills, has already been launched in the media, consistently blaring the terms “Maoist conspiracy” and “Urban Naxals,” to make the propaganda effective. All this is part of a pre-planned strategy of Sangh-parivar and state machinery to crush the peoples struggles and dissenting voices.
Noted writer and activist Arundhati Roy, while slamming the police action against human right defenders, at the instance of Modi Govt, has pointed to the graveness of the situation, “We are close to the declaration of emergency. Instead of raiding the houses of lynching-mobs and day-light murderers, raiding the homes of advocates, poets, writers, Dalit activists and intellectual shows where we are heading to. What is happening is very dangerous. It is preparation of coming elections. We can’t allow this to happen. We shall have to unite against it, otherwise we will lose the freedom we cherish.
  The above statement by Arundhati Roy fully depicts the gravity of the situation. We the writers, thinkers, teachers, advocates, educationists, economists and democratic minder intellectuals of Punjab have come forward to to play our historical role of cautioning the people about the fascist acts of present regime. Earlier too, when efforts were made to silence the writers through saffron terror we had strongly protested. Let us unite and strongly oppose the intimidation and terrorizing of democratic rights activists through arrests and searches.

1. Dr. Parminder Singh, former Head English Department, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar
2. Dr. Navsharan – Writer, daughter of Gursharn Singh Dramatist
3. Dr. Sahib Singh Dramatist
4. Baldev Singh Sadaknama Novelist
5. Amolak Singh, President, Punjab Lok Sabhyachark Manch 
6. Manjit Kaur Aulakh – Dramatist
7. Kailash Kaur
8. Attarjeet Kahaneekaar, Editor “Parwaz”
9. Kanwaljeet Khanna, General Secretary, Punjab Lok Sabhyachark Manch
10. Gurmeet Karhialvi – Writer
11. Mitter Sain Meet – Writer and Lawyer
12. Amit Mitter – Rationalist
13. Prof. Baldeep Singh 
14. Hansa Singh – Dramatist
15. Kasturi Lal – Dramatist
16. Harmesh Malrhi – Writer and Farm labourers leader
17. Dr. Surjit Singh – Prof Punjabi University & General Secretary Punjabi Sahit Academy
18. Dr. Sardara Singh Johal – former Chancellor Central University, Punjab, Bathinda
19. Dr. Hawinder Singh Sirsa – Writer
20. Anil Adam – Poet
21. Amarjeet Singh Jeet – President Sahit Jagrti Sabha, Bathinda
22. Principal Jagdish Singh Ghai- Writer & Educationist.
23. Jasvir Jhaj – Poet
24. Shivraj Khunde Halal – Poet
25. Gurcharan Singh Mangat – Writer, Rampur Katani
26. Kuldeep singh Bangi – General Secretary Kaumantri Sahit Sabhyachar Manch Bathinda
27. Gurbachan Kaur, former Secretary, Punjabi Sahit Sabha , Delhi
28. Karnail Vairagee – Teacher
29. Principal Jasmeet Singh Behniwal – Chahal Kalan
30. Inderjeet Jadu – Dramatist, Bathinda
31. Joginder Singh Nirala, Writer, Barnala
32. Balwinder Singh Machhiwara – Writer
33. Sham Sunder – Social Activis, Raikot
34. Tari Baee – Awaz Rang Manch, Barnala
35. Dr. Surinder Singh Dosanjh – Writer Ludhiana
36. Prof Lakhwinder Jit Kaur – Sultanpur Lodhi
37. Dr. Om Parkash Vashisht – Chandigarh
38. Om Parkash Gaso – Writer
39. Amarjit Grewal – Writer, Ludhiana
40. Jaspal Mankhera – Writer
41. Ajmer Sidhu – Poet, Nawan Shahar
42. Ranbir Singh Rana – Writer, Bathinda
43. Amarjit Painter – Bathinda
44. Sukhdarshan Garg – Balianwali Sahit Sabha
45. Janak Raj Janak – Writer, Talwandi Sabo Sahit Sabha
46. Surjit Brar Gholia – Writer
47. Dr. Surjit Bhatti – Literary Critic & Educationist
48. Dr. Bheeminder Singh
49. Dr. Sham Sunder Deepti
50. Prof Lok Nath
51. Bhagwant Rasulpuri – Editor “Kahani Dhara”
52. Jinder – Editor “Shabad”
53. Des Raj Kali – Editor “Lakeer”
54. Prof Harjinder Singh Atwal, Jalandhar.
55. Dr. Karamjit Singh Kurukshetr – former General Secretary Kendri Punjabi Lekhk Sabha
56. Madan Veera – Poet, President, Punjabi Sahit Sabha, Hoshiarpur
57. Dr. Jaswant Rai, General Secretary Punjabi Sahit Sabha, Hoshiarpur
58. Ret. Principal Satnam Singh Shoker
59. Dr. Satnam Singh Jassal –Regional Centre Punjabi University, Bathinda
60. Dr. Raminder Singh, Head Education Deptt, Regional Center Punjabi University, Bathinda
61. Dr. Kanwaljit Singh Education Deptt   Regional Center Punjabi University, Bathinda
62. Prof Surjit Jujj – Phagwara
63. Surinder Rampuri – Poet
64. Dr. Surinder Kumar Daveshwar 
65. Surinderjit Kaur Gill – Poetess
66. Dr. Sukhdev Singh Sirsa- Punjab University Chandigarh
67. Smt Soma Sablok – Writer Banga
68. Dr. Surinder Ajnat
69. Prof Som Pal Hira – Dramatist, Raikot
70. Sulakhn Sarhadi – Writer, Gurdaspur
71. Makhan Kohar – Writer, Gurdaspur
72. Pawan Harchandpuri – Poet, Dhuri
73. Dr. Sukhpal Singh Thind, Kapurthla
74. Dr. Harbhajan Singh Bhatia Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar
75. Surinder Preet Ghania – Writer
76. Harbhajan Singh Hundal – Writer
77. Harbans Malwa – Poet
78. Prof Hamdardveer Naushahrvi – Writer
79. Harmeet Vidiaarthee – Writer, Ferozepur
80. Prof Jaspal Ghai – Writer Ferozepur 
81. Harbhajan Singh Khemkarni – Writer
82. Harwinder Bhandal – Writer , Kapurthla
83. Kamaljeet Neelon – Writer
84. Kirpal Kazakh – Writer
85. Kewal Kaloti – Novelist, Urmur Tanda
86. Kesra Ram – Story Writer
87. Karam Singh Vakeel – Writer
88. Gurbhajan Gill – Writer
89. Dr. Guriqbal Singh – Writer, Ludhiana
90. Satish Gulati – Chetna Parkashan
91. Prof Kewal Parwana, Kapurthla
92. Swarandeep Noor – Teacher
93. Balwant Farwali – Writer Malerkotla
94. Gurdial Dalal – Writer
95. Gurnam Kanwar
96. Happy Bhagta – Dramatist
97. Gurmeet Palahi – Writer
98. Prof Kulwinder Dasuya 
99. Navtej Bharti – Writer
100. Ujagar Lalton – Writer
101. Surjit Gag –Poet
102. Principal Ret. Daljit Singh Bhagta.
103. Amrik Singh Sher Khan – Writer, Lohara
104. Pal Kaur – Poetess
105. Ram Lal Bhagat – Lecturer (History)
106. Arwinder Kaur Kakra – Writer
107. Varinder Diwana – Social Activist
108. Gurshpinder Toor – Lecturer, Abohar
109. Gulzar Singh Shaunki – Sahit Academy Ludhiana
110. Gurdev Singh Rupana – Writer
111. Gurdial Roshan – Writer
112. Dr. Sharanjit Kaur – Literary Critic, Chandigarh
113. Waryam Sandhu – Writer
114. Gagandeep Singh Mabdi Kaln, Radio Anchor
115. Sarup Sialvi – Writer
116. Satnam Singh Daun – Writer
117. Yuvraj Singh Sandhu – Writer, Majitha
118. Prof Sucha Singh Nar – Writer
119. Veer Singh M.A. –Writer, Boha
120. Janmeja Singh Johal – Writer
121. Prof Amrinder Singh Sohal – Punjabi University, Patiala
122. Davinder Daman – Dramatist
123. Mohinder Patla – Jagraon
124. Rajwinder Neer – Writer
125. Prof Sucha Singh Gill CRRID, Chandigarh
126. Prof Ranjit Singh Ghuman, CRRID, Chandigarh
127. Principal Tarsem Bahia – Writer and Teachers’ leader
128. Dr. Lakhwinder Johal, Secretary Punjab Arts Council
129. Kewal Dhaliwal – Dramatist
130. Com. Gurmeet Singh, General Secretary, Desh Bhagat Yadgar Committee Jalandhar
131. Com Gurmeet Singh Dhada, President Desh Bhagat Yadgar Committee Jalandhar
132. Prof Jagroop Singh Sekhon – Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar 
133. Prof  Paramjit Singh Juj Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar 
134. Prof  Amarjit Singh Sidhu Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar 
135. Prof  Joginder Singh, Director, Bhai Veer Singh Sadan Amritsar 
136. Prof Rabinder Nath Sharma, Senator, Punjab University, Chandigarh.
137. Prof Raunki Ram – Punjab University Chandigarh 
138. Prof Manjit Singh – Punjab University Chandigarh
139. Prof Akshay Kumar – Punjab University Chandigarh
140. Prof Birender Pal Singh – Punjabi University, Patiala
141. Dr. Baljinder Singh Sohal, Rajindera Medical College, Patiala
142. Dr. Charanjit Singh Sohal, Editor “WAGHA”
143. Yashpal Editor “Varg Chetna”
144. Adv Narinder Kumar Jeet – Bathinda
145. Adv Sudeep Singh – Bathinda
146. Adv Rajnish Kumar Rana – Bathinda
147. Pushap Lata, Trade Unionist and Social Activist
148. Dr. Atul, Jawahar Lal Nehru University
149. Jaswinder Jass – Writer
150. Amritpal Bange – Writer and Singer
151. Jagseer Jeeda – Artist
152. Ram Swaran Lakhewali – Writer
153. Atma Ram Ranjan – Co-Editor “Parwaz”
154. Karnail Singh – Teacher
155. Ravinder Rahi – Writer
156. Malkit Kotli – Writer
157. Master Ram Kumar – Peoples Singer and Musician
158. Gurdial Roshan – Writer
159. Dr. Areet