‘Mass support needed for Binayak Sen’s release’

Dr Binayak Sen,a public health physician and human rights activist working among adivasis in Chhattisgarh,has been imprisoned since the last 22 months by the BJP-led Chhattisgarh government allegedly on flimsy and false charges,the organisation said.

On Monday,44 social workers and activists from seven states across the country marched to Raipur Jail demanding his release and were arrested while they were peacefully conducting satyagraha. Those arrested include Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey,Mumbai-based filmmaker Anand Patwardhan and trade union leader from Mumbai,D Thankappan.

“We condemn the arrest of these social workers and activists who were protesting peacefully. During the last 22 months,signature campaigns,delegations,dharnas,processions,mass demonstrations,fasts and other forms of agitation have failed to evoke any response from the Chhattisgarh government. Hence,nationally constituted ‘Release Dr Binayak Sen committees’ in various states have now decided to launch a Satyagraha movement to demand Dr Sen’s release,” said a press note.

“More peaceful processions to the Raipur Jail will be organised on every Monday from now on. On April 6,a group of protestors from Pune and other parts of Maharashtra would be reaching Raipur to join the protest,” the release added.