Kisan morcha slams arrest, warrants, minister’s tweet

Sanyukta Kisan Morcha on Monday condemned the arrest of 21-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi for alleged role in a “toolkit” post shared on social media by Sweden-based climate activist Greta Thunberg. The morcha also condemned a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Mumbai-based lawyer Nikita Jacob.
The morcha has termed the arrest and warrant as acts of intimidation to scare activists from supporting the ongoing farmers struggle.

The morcha also took note of a tweet by Haryana home minister Anil Vij, who, in a cryptic post, called Ravi an “anti-national” and said all such people should be eliminated. The morcha also took exception to a statement by Haryana minister J P Dalal, who had said those who died during the ongoing farmer protest would have died anyway. The morcha said these statements had shown the real fascist face of BJP and feelings towards those struggling for their rights. “Morcha condemns the arrest of young climate change activist Disha Ravi, who stood in support of farmers and also condemns efforts to arrest Mumbai lawyer Nikita Jacob. We demand the immediate unconditional release of Disha, as her arrest was made without following due procedures,” said morcha leader Darshan Pal, adding that the morcha was deeply concerned and anguished about the use of police power to weaken the ongoing agitation.

Morcha said India’s young environmentalists understood and appreciated that unviable farming would lead to unsustainable farming too. “The statement of home minister Anil Vij is another step which shows the real face of BJP,” added Pal.