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In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court passed an order to avoid the overcrowding in prisons and had directed all states and union territories to set up high level committees to determine the class of prisoners who could be released.
The @UNHumanRights had also requested all countries to release prisoners to avoid the spread of the disease, with political prisoners being amongst the first ones to be released. At this juncture, the Supreme Court has ordered Dr. Anand Teltumbde to surrender tomorrow in Mumbai.
The case relates to the organizing of a peaceful meeting by the Elgar Parishad on 31st December, 2017 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Last Anglo-Maratha battle, which took place at Bhima-Koregaon, Maharashtra,where large numbers of Dalit soldiers were martyred.
There was a situation of unrest on 1st January, 2018 and a clash took place between Dalits and Hindus of the area. There was one casualty and the violence engulfed parts of Pune as well.
Dr. Anand was arrested on the 22nd of August, 2018 because of alleged involvement in the said unrest, links with the banned CPI-(M) and for being a part of the conspiracy to kill PM Modi. He was also accused of taking funds from the CPI-(M).
Anand Teltumbde is the first alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, the first Professor of equally reputed IIT Kharagpur and the first CEO of a holding company to be charged not for any financial embezzlement. An activist who has worked for the marginalised and is an author of over 26 books.
The acclaimed academician civil rights-activist, found himself in the middle of the Koregaon muddle in August 2018. On the basis of a letter mentioning one “Anand” or “Comrade Anand” he came under the scanner. He was soon charged with the UAPA.
Each of the so-called charges by the Pune police has been refuted with documentary proof by Dr. Teltumbde (paragraph 23 - Anand Teltumbde vs The State Of Maharashtra And Ors). The government has spared few chances for truth to emerge in this case.
In January, 2020 the Home ministry got the case transferred to the NIA at a time when the newly formed Maharashtra govt. announced a review of the case, setting up a SIT and also dropping of the false charges. But no such action was taken and the case was arbitrarily transferred.
The case involved Samajhi Bhide and Milind Ekbote who were accused of inciting violence in the area as they were behind the desecration of the statue of the Mahar named Govid Gaikwad who was a symbol of Dalit Solidarity that took place on 29th December, 2017.
This incident took place two days before the grand celebration wherein thousands of Dalits like every year were to gather to remember the battle that was won in 1818 wherein the British army consisted of dalit soldiers who defeated the Peshwas organised by the Elga Parishad.
Both have deep links with the RSS and wield considerable political clout both at the centre and the state. They were shielded by the prosecution and have various cases on their name charged of rioting and inciting violence.
This is a critical time as no protest can be organised in solidarity. This is another attempt of the state to curb dissenting voices. The media's sole focus is on COVID updates and has led to people being unaware of this happening and it not getting public attention.
It is a well orchestrated attack on the voices of the marginalized. Dr. Anand is 65+ years old and has various health ailments. His surrender tomorrow puts him in a position of risk and danger.
His arrest will coincide with Ambedkar Jayanti, a man who truly upheld the ideals of Ambedkar. While the most repressive regimes are releasing prisoners and avoiding arrests, great minds like Dr.Anand are being incarcerated. A dark day, yet again. #JusticeforDrAnandTeltumbde
