Rights groups move Karnataka State Women's Commission against Disha's arrest

A coalition of women's rights activists and organisations on Saturday moved the Karnataka State Women's Commission seeking its urgent intervention in the issue of young activist Disha Ravi and order an inquiry into the entire episode.

In a memorandum submitted to Commission chairperson Prameela Naidu, the activists said the incident shows the "multifarious and very real dangers" faced by young women in Karnataka who dare speak truth to power.

"In this instance, our primary concern is not only with this growing trend of silencing our youth who are part of democratic protests for a more just and equitable society but with the Delhi Police's total disregard for the rule of law and that too within the state of Karnataka," the activists said.

The activists said Disha was stealthily picked up by the Delhi Police and taken to Delhi, in complete violation of the established legal procedures.

"It is absolutely appalling to note the brazenness with which the Delhi Police whisked away a young woman to the national Capital even as Karnataka state government, Bengaluru police and the Karnataka State Women's Commission maintained a disquieting silence over the entire episode," the memorandum said, citing orders from Delhi High Court on inter-state arrest of prisoners.

The activists demanded the commission to conduct a thorough inquiry into the manner of arrest of Disha and initiate action against media outlets carrying "denigrating and misogynistic" content against the young activist.

They also sought the cyber police to take action against social media accounts found spreading hate against and issuing threats to Disha Ravi.

Release Disha: Teachers Against the Climate Crisis

Activists under the banner of Teachers Against the Climate Crisis demanded immediate release of Disha Ravi urged the government stop victimising environmental activists.
They condemned the arrest of 22-year-old Disha Ravi, a member of Fridays for Future, on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy and issuing of non-bailable warrants against Nikita Jacob and Shantanu Muluk.

"Attempts by the central government to cast youth-led climate organizations, or their members, as a threat to national security defies sanity. The government has weakened environmental protection by diluting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) measures, potentially damaging carbon sinks, the forests on which millions depend," he said.