NGOs,activists seek Bhatt’s release

In Mumbai,Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi,general secretary,All India Ulema Council,said,“This arrest is state-sponsored intimidation. He was first suspended and now arrested. His wife has given a statement that she fears for his life. Narendra Modi must be held accountable for what is happening in Gujarat.”

Director,Markazul Ma’arif Education and Research Centre,Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi,said,“The arrest is a means to frame,dishonour and disregard Bhatt,as he is revealing truths about the Modi government. Riots should be condemned. However,that does not give the state the power to indulge in state-backed revenge.”

Those present urged Team Anna to speak out in favour of Bhatt. “We are requesting Anna Hazare and his team to speak out in favour of Bhatt,” said another speaker,Maulana Anish Ashrafi.

Setalvad said Bhatt,a “critical public witness” was being harassed by the government for threatening to expose them. “As long as the Gujarat government felt they would not be exposed,they did nothing… Bhatt’s testimony is crucial as it will show that Modi and others participated in a criminal conspiracy to conduct revenge killings and destroy evidence.”

In Delhi,protesters gathered outside the Gujarat Bhavan to “express solidarity” with Bhatt.

Addressing the gathering,film director Mahesh Bhatt said,“I asked him (Bhatt) what was his message for the people and he said he will keep fighting. He said his life was in the hands of the judiciary now.”

Activist Shabnam Hashmi said: “Bhatt’s arrest is unconstitutional as he is the prime witness in this case. He has been arrested to intimidate others who try to speak up against the government.” She asked why the UPA government was not reacting to the arrest.

According to ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) people in more than 40 cities of the country are organising protests.