“NIA threatened them by saying that they will destroy their careers”
NIA raided the office of BhagatSingh Students Morcha (BSM), BHU and detained two members of the organisation, BSM President Akanksha Azad and Joint Secretary Siddhi, from 5.30 am this morning till 2 pm. During investigation, their phones were confiscated by the NIA, and they were not allowing anyone inside. They converted BSM office into police cantonment. When members of BSM reached the office, the NIA and the police snatched their phones, started abusing and beating them. NIA threatened them by saying that they will destroy their careers.
NIA has taken with themselves one mobile phone, two SIM cards and two laptops from BSM office. Apart from this, they have taken many magazines like Mashal, Dastak, Alternate, and Go to Village Campaign reports of BSM, etc. All these magazines are in public domain and work to make the people aware of the wrongdoings and society and work towards making a better and democratic society. It is no surprise that the government is afraid of these magazines. NIA has also called BSM President Aakanksha to NIA office in Lucknow on 12 September for further enquiry.
In Allahabad too, the houses of PUCL Uttar Pradesh State President, human rights activist Seema Azad and her spouse advocate Vishwavijay, advocate Soni Azad and social activist Ritesh Vidyarthi, social and political activist Manish Azad have also been raided by NIA. According to the news received so far, NIA has taken Soni and Ritesh somewhere, information about which is not available. They have house arrested Seema Azad and Vishvavijay The NIA team also raided the house of Rajesh Azad in Devariya, who is involved in Khiriyabagh-Azamgarh farmers movement and Sanyukta Kisan Morcha. They have also raided the house of advocate Kripa Shankar and his partner Binda who were currently staying in Allahabad.
The raids come in light of the recent attempts at suppression of the Bihar-based Kaimur Mukti Morcha’s leadership which has been at the forefront of the Adivasi struggle in Kaimur plateau against the blatant land-grabbing of their lands for the sake of creating a tiger reserve in the area. In the past, police have opened fire on peaceful protests of the KMM and repeatedly abducted their activists. Political activists, lawyers, intellectuals, and students who extend their support to movements against the corporate plunder of resources backed by the Indian state and its loot of the lands of farmers and Adivasis are continuously being branded as Maoists in a bid to silence all dissenting voices that expose the Indian state’s anti-people policies. Abductions, violence, seizure of property and police brutality have become common practices by the state forces against all such dissent. A joint protest was held on 27 August last month against this loot and arresting of political activists in Kaimur and surrounding areas. BSM was also active in that protest.
The government is scared before the 2024 elections and is suppressing all the political and social activists who challenge their policies and actions that are detrimental to the welfare of the people. The NIA is not operating as a government agency, but rather seems to function as an extension or B team of the BJP-RSS with unwavering loyalty. By aligning itself with a specific ideology, it engages in aggressive tactics against its political adversaries, resembling hooliganism. In such circumstances, we appeal to all the democratic organisations, activists and citizens to be united and raise their voices against the fascist repression imposed by the BJP-RSS government.
_ Bhagat Singh Students Morcha
Stand in solidarity against repression on BhagatSingh Students Morcha (BSM) and social–political activists of Allahabad and Azamgarh!
Statement by
Ipshita
Secretary, BhagatSingh Students Morcha (BSM)
NIA is raiding the office of BhagatSingh Students Morcha (BSM), BHU since this morning. BSM President Akanksha Azad and Joint Secretary Siddhi present in the office have been detained. Their phones have also been confiscated by the NIA, and they are not allowing anyone inside. They have converted BSM office into police cantonment. When members of BSM reached the office, the NIA and the police snatched their phones, started abusing and beating them.
In Allahabad too, the houses of PUCL Uttar Pradesh State Secretary, human rights activist Seema Azad and her spouse advocate Vishwavijay, advocate Soni Azad and social activist Ritesh Vidyarthi, social and political activist Manish Azad have also been raided by NIA. According to the news received so far, NIA has taken Seema Azad, Vishwavijay, Soni and Ritesh somewhere, information about which is not available. The NIA team is also raiding the house of Rajesh Azad, who is involved in Khiriyabagh-Azamgarh farmers movement and Sanyukta Kisan Morcha.
The government is scared before the 2024 elections and is suppressing all the political and social activists who challenge their policies and actions that are detrimental to the welfare of the people. The NIA is not operating as a government agency, but rather seems to function as an extension or B team of the BJP-RSS with unwavering loyalty. By aligning itself with a specific ideology, it engages in aggressive tactics against its political adversaries, resembling hooliganism.
In such circumstances, we appeal to all the democratic organisations, activists and citizens to be united and raise their voices against the fascist repression imposed by the BJP-RSS government.
Inqilaab Zindabad!
Ipshita
Secretary, BhagatSingh Students Morcha (BSM)
2023 Sept 6
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