The arrest of 21-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi on Sunday triggered anger and disbelief as politicians, advocates and activists calle...
The arrest of 21-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi on Sunday triggered anger and disbelief as politicians, advocates and activists called this the Narendra Modi government’s latest attempt to stifle dissent against his “authoritarian regime” by criminalising protests and cracking down on protestors.
Ravi was arrested for sharing and editing a document intended to help the farmers’ protest against the new agricultural laws. The “toolkit” – a common term used by social activists for campaign material – was tweeted by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg in support of India’s protesting farmers on February 4.
Earlier this month, the police, while filing the first information report in the case, said the campaign material was aimed at waging a “social, cultural and economic war against the government of India” and creating divisions among various groups in Indian society.
A court in the city on Saturday sent Ravi to police custody for five days. No formal charges have been announced, but the Delhi Police said that Ravi was the editor of the “toolkit” and the “key conspirator” in its formulation and dissemination. The police alleged that Ravi had collaborated with a Khalistani group to “spread disaffection against the Indian State”.
The move has stunned critics, who said Ravi’s arrest was a clear warning to those who want...
