Jananeethi condemns attack on Swami Agnivesh

The Board, Executive Committee and Staff of Jananeethi, Thrissur, Kerala strongly condemn the ignominious attacks on Swami Agnivesh and a team of media persons at early hours on 26 March 2011 near Dornapal village in Dantewada district, in Chhattisgarh on their way to Tadmetla, Morpalli and Timapuram villages that had been attacked and devastated by Koya commandoes and the infamous COBRA forces of the Chhattisgarh police on 11^th through 16^th March, burning down more than 300 houses, killing five people and raping three women during their five-day anti-Maoist operation. Swami Agnivesh was on a peace and facts finding mission and had to deliver cloths, blankets and other relief materials to the affected villagers.  

Swami Agnivesh and the team were attacked twice in six hours by a violent mob comprising Special Police Officers (SPOs) of the Chhattisgarh police and members of the Salwa Judum, a controversial tribal vigilante group, armed, trained and protected be the Chhattisgarh government in its battle against the Maoists. As per records before the Supreme Court, the Judum members are responsible for 537 murders, 99 rapes and 103 acts of arson.

“It seemed like an orchestrated attack”, said one of the journalists along with Swami Agnivesh. Swami had called the Chief Minister, Raman Singh, and had briefed him about Swami’s plans before embarking the trip. The CM had promised all help and had asked the DGP to provide full security to Swami. In spite of all, the SPOs and Judum members stoned at Swami’s vehicle, pelted him with raw eggs, knocked off his turban and pushed him around. His team members were beaten, their cameras were destroyed.

We, in the given circumstances, understand that it was a State sponsored criminal assault on democracy, rule of law and human rights. Those who are expected of enforcing rule of law are behaving like law breakers and criminal mafia.  This is condemnable. Reportedly the Collector and the Police Chief were transferred following the incidents. Passing the buck to the officers is a usual practice of political leadership. The matter has to be read with the brutal denial of justice to Dr.Binayak Sen. Those who speak for fundamental rights, civil liberties, public accountability will be targeted and finished off. This shall not happen in a country where Constitution is the supreme law.

The attack on Swami Agnivesh was shameful and deplorable. We demand an independent, impeccable and immediate inquiry into the matter and those responsible for the  virulent attack on Swamiji and his team should be brought to hooks as per law.

 - Jananeethi Family.

 Issued on 28^th March 2011 at Jananeethi Head Quarters at Thrissur, Kerala,India.
 

March 28, 2011