Is India a Banana Republic? The way in which human rights activists are treated like hardcore criminals gives such an impression.
Take the case of Dr Binayak Sen, who has been detained by the Chattisgarh government for the last several months on charge of `assisting Maoists’.
Dr Sen was arrested on May 14 2007 under the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2006 that gives the state sweeping powers to act against anyone it thinks should be put behind the bars. But the truth is that Sen brought to light the gross human rights violations in Bastar and Dantewada districts of the state and opposed the government’s support to Salwa Judum, a private army set up ostensibly to counter Naxals.
Binayak Sen is a doctor and was the General Secretary of the state People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). A paediatrician and public health/social activist, he has done commendable service to the cause of healthcare in Chhattisgarh including the setting up the Shaheed Hospital for Mine Workers in Dalli Rajahara and the establishment of the Mitaneen programme, a pioneering model putting the Village Health Worker at the forefront of rural healthcare. (Asian Tribune). He chose to work among the downtrodden instead of using his profession to make money.
Take the case of Dr Binayak Sen, who has been detained by the Chattisgarh government for the last several months on charge of `assisting Maoists’.
Dr Sen was arrested on May 14 2007 under the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2006 that gives the state sweeping powers to act against anyone it thinks should be put behind the bars. But the truth is that Sen brought to light the gross human rights violations in Bastar and Dantewada districts of the state and opposed the government’s support to Salwa Judum, a private army set up ostensibly to counter Naxals.
Binayak Sen is a doctor and was the General Secretary of the state People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). A paediatrician and public health/social activist, he has done commendable service to the cause of healthcare in Chhattisgarh including the setting up the Shaheed Hospital for Mine Workers in Dalli Rajahara and the establishment of the Mitaneen programme, a pioneering model putting the Village Health Worker at the forefront of rural healthcare. (Asian Tribune). He chose to work among the downtrodden instead of using his profession to make money.
A committed people's rights activist he has been struggling to protect the rights and liberties of tribal people in Chattisgarh and has been on the forefront to work on the health, social and human rights fronts for the last 25 years.
The fervent appeals by the likes of Magsaysay Award winner Dr Sandeep Pandey to release Sen fell on deaf ears. The overall condemnation and outrage over the illegal detention of Sen doesn’t seem to have any effect on the state government. Worse, Supreme Court even rejected him bail.
Pls show solidarity to this human rights activist by signing the online petition: http://petitions.aidindia.org/Binayak_Dec_2007/supporters.php
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