250+ Activists Call For Immediate Release of J&K’s Environmental Defenders


  • November 13, 2024
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Over 250 activists from across India call for immediate release of Jammu and Kashmir’s 6 social and environmental activists who were arbitrarily detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). They called on people to support democratic and peaceful movements for safeguarding ecology in J&K and the entire Himalayan region.

 

Groundxero | Nov. 12, 2024

 

More than 250 activists from different parts of India and diverse organizations signed on to a statement initiated by the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), strongly condemning the arbitrary detention of 6 social and environmental activists in Jammu & Kashmir, under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

 

The signatories called for their immediate release and withdrawal of cases filed against them, for exercising their legitimate right to raise ecological concerns. All those detained Mohammad Abdullah Gujjar (resident of Sigdi Bhata), Noor Din (resident of Kakerwagan), Ghulam Nabi Choppan (resident of Trungi – Dachhan), Mohammad Jaffer Sheikh (resident of Nattas, Dool), Mohammad Ramzan (resident of Dangduroo – Dachhan), trade union leaders from Kishtwar district and Rehamatullah from Doda District (J&K) were only raising pertinent issues regarding socio-environmental impacts of large projects as well as solid waste management.

 

The signatories supported the activists stating, “socio-ecological justice activism and raising legitimate concerns should not be mislabeled as “anti-national. Attempts to silence dissent by branding it as “anti-national” weaken the foundations of democratic governance and hinder constructive dialogue on pressing social issues”. Such actions of the State undermine people’s right to hold authorities accountable, the right to peaceful protest and community involvement in decision making processes. It must be emphasized that popular opposition to hydro-power, mega infrastructure is not isolated to the region of Jammu & Kashmir, but is seen across the Himalayan states, given the environ, socio-economic threats these projects pose to the region at large. Thus, clamping down on ecological movements in the region only hampers the much-needed struggle to combat climate crisis.

 

An appeal was made both to the newly formed government in Jammu & Kashmir and to the Union Government not to resort to high-handed interventions, as people on the ground voice legitimate concerns in a peaceful way. The signatories hoped that as the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference at Baku (COP29) is underway, necessary attention would be paid to environmental defenders back home, safeguarding ecology at great risk.

 

The full text of the statement with all signatories is below.

 

Statement by 250 activists and organizations from across India

 

Stop Arbitrary Detentions and Intimidation of Social & Environmental Activists in Jammu & Kashmir

  

Save Ecology & Uphold Democratic Rights in J&K and entire Himalayan Region 

 

Release all detained activists immediately: Withdraw arbitrary cases

 

13th Nov, 2024: National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), along with other people’s organizations and concerned citizens from across India strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of social and environmental activists in Jammu & Kashmir under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Those detained under the provisions of J&K Public Safety Act, 1978, include Mohammad Abdullah Gujjar (resident of Sigdi Bhata), Noor Din (resident of Kakerwagan), Ghulam Nabi Choppan (resident of Trungi – Dachhan), Mohammad Jaffer Sheikh (resident of Nattas, Dool) and Mohammad Ramzan (resident of Dangduroo – Dachhan), trade union leaders from Kishtwar district.

 

The authorities claim that these persons were attempting to ‘obstruct projects of national importance’. However, according to local sources and social media posts of activists and journalists from the Chenab Valley, the detained activists were voicing several specific concerns about the hydropower projects including infrastructure-related impacts and damages, environmental violations, denial of compensation and rehabilitation etc. They also alleged that local houses and properties suffered severe damage due to project-related blasting and that construction work reportedly caused ‘structural integrity issues’ in nearby buildings. It is learnt that 22 other persons have been placed under state ‘surveillance’ and we fear that they may also be subject to arbitrary detention or arrests.

 

It has also been reported that another young climate activist Rehamatullah (25), from Dessa Bhatta of Doda (J&K), who has been vocal about environmental issues and was actively uncovering a solid waste management scam, has been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). His work exposed the alleged misuse of funds and negligence in managing local waste, affecting public health and the environment. These detentions have raised concerns among local communities and environmental organizations, who view it as a suppression of environmental activism and transparency efforts.

 

We are of the earnest view that the detention of these activists who have only been advocating for the protection of local ecosystems, people’s democratic rights and truly sustainable development, undermine the right to hold authorities accountable, the right to peaceful protest and community involvement in decision making processes. It also represents a troubling misuse of power and a suppression of fundamental rights, which should alarm every citizen who believes in democracy and justice.

 

The criminalization of activism in Jammu and Kashmir, exemplified by laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA), has systematically suppressed local voices. We must unite in support of activists, including climate justice activists, and support their well-meaning advocacy efforts in J&K. It is imperative that the new government that has been voted to power in J&K with expectations that at least some democratic rights would be upheld, must live up to this popular mandate. Even as issues and subjects of federal rights are divided between the Centre and J&K, we expect the Lieutenant Governor and the Central Government to act responsibly and refrain from high-handed interventions, as people on the ground voice legitimate concerns in a peaceful way.

 

It must be emphasized that popular opposition to hydro-power and mega infrastructure is not isolated to the region of Jammu & Kashmir, but is seen across the Himalayan states, given the environmental and socio-economic threats these projects pose to the region at large. Thus, clamping down on ecological movements in the region only hampers the much-needed struggle to combat climate crisis.

 

NAPM strongly asserts that socio-ecological justice activism and the act of raising legitimate concerns should not be mis-labelled as “anti-national.”  Attempts to silence dissent by branding it as “anti-national” weaken the foundations of democratic governance and hinder constructive dialogue on pressing social issues.

 

We call for the immediate and unconditional release all detainees and demand that the PSA, other charges against them be withdrawn. Activism and dissent are essential components of a healthy democracy, and they should be respected rather than criminalized. The authorities must instead impartially inquire into the allegations of corruption, ensure participatory socio-environmental impact assessments and prioritize ecological justice. As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference kickstarts at Baku (COP29), we hope necessary attention would be paid to environmental defenders back home, safeguarding ecology at great risk.

 

List of Signatories

 

  1. Hananya AS Student Mumbai, Maharashtra
    2. Paran Amitava Researcher Ranchi, Jharkhand
    3. Meera Sanghamitra Social Activist, NAPM Hyderabad
    4. AVS Krishna Chaitanya Software Engineer Hyderabad
    5. Mahnoor Drama therapist Hyderabad/Telangana
    6. Heman Researcher Ahmedabad
    7. Nikita Naidu Climate Action Consultant Hyderabad, Telangana
    8. Anannya PhD scholar New Delhi
    9. Kavita Srivastava PUCL Jaipur/ Rajasthan
    10. Tannuja Chauhan Visual Artist New Delhi
    11. John Michael NAPM National Urban Struggles Forum Hyderabad
    12. Annapurna Menon Lecturer Jaipur, Rajasthan
    13. Yash Agrawal Fridays For Future Mumbai Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
    14. Elina Horo Adivasi Women’s Network Ranchi, Jharkhand
    15. Natasha Pereira Self-employed Mumbai
    16. Saravanan V PhD Student, JNU New Delhi
    17. Sabique Hasan Ahmed Greenkeepers/Student Guwahati, Assam
    18. Bhumi Student Shimla
    19. Aditya Partap Singh Student New Delhi
    20. Habiburrahman Accounts Chennai
    21. Mayalmit lepcha Affected citizens of Teesta Sikkim
    22. Sara Professor Tamil Nadu
    23. Kailash Mina Napm Neemkathana Rajasthan
    24. Arundhati Dhuru NAPM Lucknow UP
    25. Dr Sandeep Pandey Socialist Party (India) U P
    26. Manshi Asher Himdhara Collective Himachal Pradesh
    27. Nikita Jain Journalist Delhi
    28. Nishant Bangera Muse Foundation Mumbai
    29. Oindrila Climate Advocate Visakhapatnam
    30. Varshith.M Student Andhra Pradesh
    31. Seema khaleel Conservationist Karnataka
    32. Mohammad Ishak Social Worker Uttarakhand
    33. Rakesh Shivaji Gholap Social worker Thane ,/ Maharashtra
    34. Ramnarayan Ecologist Uttarakhand
    35. Shreyas Pande Journalist Mumbai
    36. Koninika Ray National Federation of Indian Women New Delhi
    37. Syed Juneed ul Haq Andrabi NAPM J&K Shopian
    38. Roop Rekha Verma Individual Lucknow
    39. Kumar Mukesh Social Activist Kaithal/Haryana
    40. Shubham Kothari JHSS/Activist Mumbai/Maharashtra
    41. sanjana Consultant Maharashtra
    42. Ankita Marwaha Social campaigner New Delhi
    43. Nisha Biswas Scientist Kolkata
    44. Rahee S G Student Pune/ Delhi
    45. Roopashri Sinha Freelance researcher Maharashtra
    46. Dr Vijay Rukmini Rao Development Nalgonda, Telangana
    47. Sujata Patel Teacher and Researcher Maharashtra
    48. Chakri Samalochana Anakapalle
    49. Sanober Keshwaar Retired law lecturer Mm
    50. Rosamma Thomas Freelancer Pala town, Kerala
    51. Deepa Gender Consultant Bhopal/Madhya Pradesh
    52. Osama Rawal Students Thane/ Maharashtra
    53. Sagari Ramdas Food Sovereignty Alliance, India Hyderabad, Telangana
    54. Shamsul Islam Former faculty Delhi University NCR
    55. Neelima Sharma Street theatre NCR
    56. Ambika Tandon PhD student Delhi
    57. anamik shah Professor Rajkot/Gujarat
    58. ARUN KHOTE Justice News Lucknow
    59. Ashish Advocate Telangana
    60. Indira Public Health Delhi
    61. Frazer Mascarenhas Academic Administrator Mumbai
    62. sharmila academic, IITB Mumbai, Maharashtra
    63. Suhas Kolhekar National Alliance of People’s Movements Pune
    64. P. Rohini Rajasekaran Multi-disciplinary Artist Bengaluru
    65. Youth For Himalaya Youth For Himalaya India
    66. Sandeep Pandey Socialist Party (India) Lucknow
    67. Shehbaz Student activist Mumbai
    68. Ayaskant Das Independent Journalist Delhi
    69. Ayaz Niyaz Ahmad Fatima shaikh study circle Thane, Maharashtra
    70. Vidya Dinker INSAF Mangalore
    71. Pervin Jehangir Social Work Mumbai
    72. Madhuri social activist Madhya Pradesh
    73. Rohin Kumar Journalist Delhi
    74. Nina Verma NA Mumbai
    75. Pritam Student Aasssm
    76. Harpuneet Kaur PFUS Chandigarh, Punjab
    77. Shiva Shankar Professor, retired Chennai
    78. Alok Ranjan Climate campaigner New Delhi
    79. Freny Manecksha Independent journalist Thane Maharashtra
    80. Kaneez Fathima Civil Rights Activist Telangana
    81. Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan Editor, The Milli Gazette New Delhi
    82. Amir Rizvi Designer Mumbai
    83. Anand Patwardhan None Mumbai
    84. M A Lateef Atear Secretary Hyderabad
    85. Shalini Dhawan Designer Mumbai
    86. Dunu Roy Hazards Centre New Delhi/Delhi
    87. Rama TELTUMBDE – Mumbai/ Maharashtra
    88. Sayed safiulla Working Karnataka
    89. K. Sajaya Women & Transgender Orgs JAC Hyderabad/ Telangana
    90. Rita Manchanda Independent Researcher and Writer Delhi
    91. Uma Shankari Farmer, Citizen Hyderabad, Telangana
    92. Vijayasingh Ronald David Coorg Organisation for Rural Development Kushalnagar
    93. Yusuf Shaikh Retired Karad
    94. Kamayani Trainer Gender , Health and Human Rights Mumbai
    95. Manvar Sunil Activist Pune
    96. Rahul Varman Academic Kanpur, UP
    97. Sadia Sohail NGO Delhi
    98. Muhmina Lawyer Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
    99. Nandita Narain Democratic Teachers’ Front, Delhi University Delhi
    100. Dr Lubna Sarwath Member, Indian National Congress, Hyderabad Hyderabad
    101. Prafulla Samantara Lok Shakti Abhiyan Bhubaneswar, Odisha
    102. Aruna Retired Pune Maharashtra
    103. Himanshu Thakkar SANDRP Delhi
    104. Arunyajyothi Student Telangana
    105. Sujata Madhok None Delhi
    106. Arunyajyothi Student Telangana
    107. Bittu K R WSS Sonipat, Haryana
    108. Sharanya Nayak Indigenous Peoples’ Land Life and Knowledge Collective Koraput, Odisha
    109. John Dayal Writer Delhi
    110. Padmaja Shaw Rtd Professor Hyderabad
    111. Abdul Majid Attar Kashmir Conservancy Movement Kashmir
    112. Zeeshan Ahmed Business Mumbai
    113. Aagnay Self employed Bhimtal, Uttarakhand
    114. Devi Activist Hyderabad
    115. Prasad Chacko Social Worker Ahmedabad
    116. Barnali Mukherjee ACTIVIST Kolkata
    117. Roshni Mukherjee Officer in a University West Bengal
    118. Jacques Gelineau Fondation rivières Sept-Îles , Canada
    119. Mohammad Chappalwala Sambhaavnaa Institute Palampur/ Himachal Pradesh
    120. Shruthi Educator Bengaluru
    121. maithreyi m r freelance professional editor mumbai
    122. Nupur Jain PhD student Maharashtra
    123. Basudev Banerjee Social activist West Bengal..
    124. Banhi Chakraborty Ex-teacher, IIT, Kharagpur, West Bengal Kolkata, West Bengal
    125. Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool J&K RTI Movement Srinagar
    126. Hasan Abdullah Research Delhi
    127. Kavita Upadhyay Independent journalist and researcher Nainital, Uttarakhand
    128. Suryanshu Student Vellore, Tamil Nadu
    129. Disha Ravi Fridays For Future India Bangalore, Karnataka
    130. Priya Pillai Researcher Thrissur
    131. Yashasva Bhatia Student Delhi
    132. Sumanta Banerjee Political commentator Hyderabad/Telangana
    133. Laxman Gurung Himalayan Alliance for Water and Agriculture HAWA Kathmandu
    134. Prabhakaran Poovulagin Nanbargal Chennai, Tamilnadu
    135. Aanchal Communication Pune
    136. Sandhya gokhale Forum Against Oppression of Women Mumbai
    137. Hasina khan , Biraj Mehta, Maivish, Gulshaad Bebaak Collective Maharashtra
    138. Meghaa S Consultant Chennai
    139. Ashok choudhary Aiufwp Saharanpur, UP
    140. Mandakini Lawyer Hyderabad
    141. Joseph Maliakan Veteran Journalist Delhi
    142. Sundarrajan Environment activist Chennai
    143. Dr. Sheetal Kamble TASHI Organization Thane Maharashtra
    144. Dr Vikas Bajpai JNU Delhi
    145. Shankar Activist Dehradun
    146. Soham social media manager Delhi
    147. Spalzes Angmo Project coordinator Leh
    148. FIROZ SCHOOL TEACHER DELHI
    149. Mr Soumya Dutta MAUSAM / Author-Educator-Researcher Delhi
    150. Tanisha Negi Self employed Himachal Pradesh
    151. Kopal Let India Breathe Ghaziabad
    152. AA NA Tamil nadu
    153. Daniel Jose Climate Front India Kochi
    154. Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement , Coalition of Climate Activists J&K Jammu & Kashmir
    155. Raksha Awasya Lawyer Delhi
    156. Neelam Ahluwalia Nakra People for Aravallis group Haryana
    157. Anjali Activist Maharashtra
    158. Geeta sahu Individual Belgaum
    159. Yugma Collective Youth Organisation Maharashtra
    160. Rajesh Desai Environment Movement Maharashtra
    161. Deepthi Sirla NAPM Hyderabad
    162. Ashish Kajla Independent Researcher Rajasthan
    163. Cedric Prakash Human Rights Reconciliation & Peace Activist/Writer Ahmedabad / Gujarat
    164. Bhawna Tanwar There Is No Earth B New Delhi
    165. Saksham Bisen Software Engineer Chhattisgarh
    166. Piyush Kumar Artist New Delhi
    167. Sameer Journalist Kashmir
    168. SUMAN TVVM FREELANCER VISAKHAPATNAM/ ANDHRA PRADESH
    169. Abhinandan Nath Canara International School Life Skills Coach Karnataka Mangalore
    170. Hasina khan Researcher activist Maharashtra
    171. Bhim Independent Delhi
    172. Vikas Jain Naturalist Pali Rajasthan
    173. Dr Doctor Pondicherry
    174. Saroj Teacher Gurgaon, Haryana
    175. Vikas Singh Azim Premji University Kota Rajasthan
    176. Nilima Kallara Salaried Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
    177. Smita Hemlata BJA/Freelancer Pune/Maharashtra
    178. Kashif jubapu Friday for further Karnataka Karnataka
    179. Rupa Chinai Independent journalist Mumbai
    180. Sarang V. Yadwadkar Architect Pune, Maharashtra
    181. Vertika Mani Lawyer, PUCL Delhi Delhi
    182. Kailash Anerao Chartered Accountant Thane
    183. Aurobindo MANAVSEVA NCT DELHI
    184. Nayana Researcher Bengaluru, Karnataka
    185. Moncy M Thomas Library Kerala
    186. Sandhya Raju Ccrra Kerala
    187. Bhaskar Chakraborty Creative Work Mumbai
    188. Vinay Kooragayala Sreenivasa Advocate Karnataka
    189. People For Himalaya People For Himalaya India
    190. Suchitra Mathur Teacher Kanpur, UP
    191. Naveen aolanki other Delhi
    192. AFFAN ALIG JOURNALIST New Delhi
    193. Dr. Mohd Raffique Socio-political Activist Nuh, Haryana
    194. Ekta Climate activist Uttar pradesh
    195. Mohan Climate front – Vishakhapatnam Andhra pradesh
    196. Apoorv Grover Ophthalmologist/ Doctor New Delhi
    197. Kavita Banker Himachal Pradesh
    198. Sushma Wildpaw Adventures Mumbai
    199. Amrita Shodhan Teacher Ahmedabad
    200. Chythenyen Researcher Tamil Nadu
    201. Shridevi Kotkar Advocate Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
    202. Bharat Bhushan Earth Army Foundation Rohtak
    203. Dar naseer Wular Fisherman union organizer Jammu kashmir
    204. Lakshmi krishnamurty Social anthropologist (retd) Karnataka
    205. Mukesh Teacher Mumbai
    206. Anmol Ohri Climate Front – Jammu Jammu, J&K
    207. Ruchith Asha Kamal Climate Front Hyderabad Hyderabad / Telangana
    208. Raina Roy Samabhabona Kolkata
    209. Soumita Student Visakhapatnam
    210. Rupa FFF Mumbai
    211. Gabriele Dietrich Pennurimai Iyakkam Madurai
    212. Ishika Delhi University Delhi
    213. Radhika Deonalli Freelancer Mumbai/Maharashtra
    214. Manoranjan Mohanty Retired Professor Delhi University Delhi
    215. Parimala FITE Chennai, Tamilnadu
    216. Tara Mutali Individual Chennai, Tamil Nadu
    217. Yash Let India Breathe India
    218. Priyansh Right To Food Campaign Delhi
    219. Reema Concerned Citizen Mumbai, Maharashtra
    220. Nagal Principal Accountant General TN and Kerala Office of CAG of India Chennai
    221. Pratap Raval Retired professor Maharashtra
    222. Bhanu Tatak Dibang resistance Arunachal Pradesh
    223. Aastha Rai Student Gorakhpur/UP
    224. Pia Jan Haq Sangharsh Samiti Mumbai
    225. Indira Unninayar Advocate – Supreme Court and Delhi High Court Delhi/Gurgaon/NCR
    226. N D Pancholi PUCL Ghaziabad, UP
    227. Uma Chakravarti Retired teacher. Delhi
    228. Mandar Farmer Maharashtra
    229. Lalita Ramdas LARA – Ramu Farm Alibag, Maharashtra
    230. Atreyi Research Scientist Kolkata
    231. Deshmukh Sareem Kalim Electrician Majalgaon
    232. Harcharan Singh Chahal Retired Bank officer Barnala
    233. george sorger retired university professor ottawa, canada
    234. C.Elumalai Rural People`s SangamT Tamilnadu
    235. Ebo mili North east human rights Arunachal Pradesh
    236. Gabriele Dietrich Pennurimai Iyakkam Madurai
    237. amitraj deshmukh NAPM Pune
    238. V. Saldanha Feminist Activist Maharashtra
    239. Gyanendra nath sinha Retired journalist Ara, Bihar
    240. Paramjit kaur President IWC Jammu
    241. Neeta Ratwani Film maker Mumbai
    242. Askari Zaidi Journalist Delhi
    243. Rajesh Darak Whistleblowers India Mumbai
    244. Divya Negi Engineer HImachal
    245. Asha Puri Teacher NCR
    246. Anchit Thukral Filmmaker Delhi
    247. Anuradha Bhasin Stanford University Palo Alto
    248. Josue ARUNA Congo Basin Conservation Society CBCS network DRC
    249. AS Vasantha WSS Delhi
    250. Sumaiya Islam BNSK ( A grassroot level women migrant workers Association) Dhaka-based, Bangladesh
    251. Dinesh Malshe Retired PUNE / MAHARSHTRA
    252. Neeraj Malik Professor Noida U. P.
    253. Rajendra Babu Arvini retired from Government service Hyderabad. Telangana
    254. Suresh Tamang RRN 556661
    255. Abha One Billion Rising international campaign Dharamshala
    256. Humaira Mental health professional Mumbai
    257. Narendra chugh JALBIRADARI Pune, Maharashtra
    258. swati desai napm gujarat
    259. There Is No Earth B There Is No Earth B Delhi NCR
    260. Kartik Jandial Climate front jammu Jammu
    261. Sushil khanna Professor Professor retired
    262. prasad suryawnshi engineer maharashtra
    263. Aditi Mehta Retired Udaipur Rajasthan

 

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