Stop the vicious witch-hunt against Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand
July 17, 2015
Bhim (Rajsamand), Rajasthan
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the premises of the Sabrang Communications and Publishing Pvt. Ltd, and home of activists Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand, in Mumbai on July 14, 2015. The raid took place a week after the Union Home Ministry transferred the investigation of a case against Sabrang Communications to the CBI. The raid lasted for almost 23 hours as the police searched for ‘some evidence’, in connection with the violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by the organization. There is no justification for this matter to have been treated in this fashion by handing it to the CBI, which has promptly conducted a “raid” on a social sector organization that is co-operating with the investigating agencies in every way.
The timing of the raid also raises serious questions; given that the Gujarat High Court was going to hear appeals of the massacre convicts Babu Bajrangi and Maya Kodanani in the Naroda Patiya case the following day, i.e., July 15, 2015. The petition of Zakia Zafri in the Gulbarg Society case, is also due to be heard on July 27, 2015. It is important to recall that it was the Citizens for Justice and Peace, initiated by Teesta Setalvad, that has been consistently providing legal support for these and other cases related with the Gujarat genocide of 2002.
It is difficult to understand why the CBI chose to ignore earlier letters written by Teesta and Javed to them on June 30th and July 10th respectively, presenting their case as well as assuring them full co-operation in the investigation. It seems to be a clear case of intimidation and to pass a message to other social sector organizations not to take on the ruling political party and hold its office bearers accountable. In the last two years, the finances of Teesta and Javed’s organizations have been scrutinized by the authorities several times. If there had been infringements, the law should have taken its course. There is nothing that warrants an investigation by the CBI, especially when the Supreme Court of India has taken cognizance of the matter.
The MKSS believes that the receipt of foreign funds (by individuals and organisations) should definitely be within the norms of transparency and accountability. However the manner in which both the last government and this government have tried to amend the law to enable arbitrariness, harassment, and targeting of civil society groups is undemocratic and unacceptable. The BJP Government in particular has now repeatedly misused the FCRA law to target particular groups and individuals who hold different political opinions in a blatantly arbitrary manner. The targeting of Teesta, Javed and Sabrang is an example of attempting to hound an organization till its spirit is broken. . Instead, the CBI should be spending its time investigating the real threats of grand corruption and political corruption that are really threatening the democratic fabric in India.
The MKSS takes strong exception to the persecution and humiliation of activists and citizens, who express opinions or are active against acts of oppression or injustice perpetrated by the State. We stand in solidarity with Teesta Setalvad, Javed Anand and in appreciation of the many others who have been fighting for justice for people affected by the killings in Gujarat. The MKSS condemns this kind of State repression and victimization of free speech, expression and dissent. This is in violation of all constitutional guarantees.
In solidarity,
Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey, Shankar Singh, and the MKSS

Hastakshep