New Delhi, July 27: On Friday, a diverse group of ministers, parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, academicians, and civil society members gathered at the Press Club of India here to show solidarity with those imprisoned for years without bail. The public meet, organized by Concerned Citizens of Delhi and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), called for immediate bail and justice.
Salman Khurshid, Former Law Minister and senior advocate, shared his personal experiences with the system, emphasizing the need for internal democracy within political parties. He argued that leaders should freely express their views on important issues without fear of retribution. Khurshid also noted the challenge of criticizing the judiciary without risking contempt of court, stressing the importance of careful articulation.
Rajaram Singh, CPI(ML) MP, criticized the government, stating, “In the last Lok Sabha elections, we have shaken the fascist regime, but greater effort is needed to uproot them from political power.”
Former IAS officer and new Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, Sasikanth Senthil, spoke about his friendship and inspiration from Umar Khalid. Senthil highlighted that the ongoing battle is not just between parties or individuals but between two mindsets and ideologies. He expressed that despite majoritarian influences, the country has not been entirely consumed by it.
Brittas, CPI(M) MP and former journalist, expressed his dismay at the current state of media. He criticized mainstream media, calling it “Modiam,” for failing to interpret judicial verdicts accurately and stressed the need to restore the integrity of institutions. Brittas remarked that the parliament currently lacks the power to hold the executive accountable.
Investigative journalist Saurav Das detailed the procedural issues in ongoing court cases, noting the frequent transfers between benches. He argued that when the judiciary fails to act independently, the executive should intervene, and parliamentarians must pressure the government to ensure justice for those unjustly imprisoned.
Legal scholar Gautam Bhatia discussed the potential for misuse of certain UAPA provisions, expressing hope that bail would be granted to those with long-pending trials, as observed by the Supreme Court.
Nandini Sundar, a professor at Delhi University and the moderator of the meet, urged attendees to remember the families of those who have fought for democratic dissent. She called on everyone to consider the small children, wives, and elderly relatives of these imprisoned dissenters in their daily actions.
The event underscored a collective call for justice and immediate bail for those entangled in the Delhi Riot and Bhima Koregaon cases, advocating for a united front against systemic injustices.
