A group of more than 100 people from Kerala including Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha members, Kerala Assembly members, rights activists and academics have issued a statement expressing their solidarity to Hany Babu M.T, a Keralite and an assistant professor at Delhi University, who has been languishing in Mumbai jail for the past nine months under draconian UAPA in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.
“An analysis report released by Arsenal Consulting, an independent digital forensic company based in Massachusetts, on the evidence submitted by NIA against Rona Wilson, another falsely accused in the same case, reveals the shocking depth of State conspiracy in this case that puts democratic values into shame. The only evidence that links Rona Wilson with Maoist groups is a set of documents installed in their computer by hackers using malicious software. The same modus operandi has been used against all the other 15 accused in this case. The shocking revelations by Arsenal consulting demand a re-investigation, in this case, to implement justice. However, there has been no such initiative. The criminal silence continued by both the justice system and the public should be protested,” read the statement signed by Lok Sabha MPs K Muraleedharan (Congress) ET Mohammed Basheer (Muslim League) and Rajya Sabha MPs Binoy Viswam (CPI) and Abdussamad Samadani (Muslim League).
The statement was also signed by MLAs KPA Majeed and Dr. MK Muneer, renowned author K. Satchidanandan, veteran journalist BRP Bhaskar, Executive Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board Abdul Shukkoor Qasimi, Welfare Party of India state president Hameed Vaniyambalam and SDPI state president P Abdul Majeed Faizy.
The statement went on to say: “It is his strong anti-caste struggles based on an Ambedkarite’s conviction and his commitment to the cause of social justice that puts Hany babu on the opposite side of the Savarna Hindutva state. Here is someone who had fought to implement OBC reservation in Delhi University and fought constantly to end discrimination against SC/ST community. Hany Babu was also actively part of the ‘Committee for the defence and release of Sai Baba’, a committee formed for his former classmate and colleague Sai Baba. Sai Baba is 90% disabled, has been denied justice and is still behind bars.”
The joint statement which raises concerns about Hany Babu’s health in the context of the increasing cases of COVID-19 and related death in the overcrowded jails, also endorsed by jailed professor’s wife Delhi University professor Jenny Rowena and brother Hyderabad University professor MT Ansari.
The solidarity statement comes at a time the family members of Hany Babu have issued an appeal for his release from prison, saying that the National Investigation Agency has arrested an innocent man.
Read the full text of statement:
Hany Babu M.T, a Keralite and an assistant professor at Delhi University, has been languishing in Mumbai jail for the past nine months, falsely accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case. Hany Babu is a renowned linguist who has received a doctorate from EFLU, Hyderabad and from the University of Konstanz, Germany. Professor Babu is an honest social activist, who upon identifying himself as an Ambedkarite dedicated his life entirely to social justice and anti-caste struggles. Many Central University students coming from Dalit-Bahujan background had recounted stories of support and motivation they used to receive from their dear professor. They have reiterated how valuable his support was for their growth. As said in the request released by his family yesterday, for someone who makes other’s urgencies his needs, it is not surprising to see him revered by teachers and students alike.
An analysis report released by Arsenal Consulting, an independent digital forensic company based in Massachusetts, on the evidence submitted by NIA against Rona Wilson, another falsely accused in the same case, reveals the shocking depth of State conspiracy in this case that puts democratic values into shame. The only evidence that links Rona Wilson with Maoist groups is a set of documents installed in their computer by hackers using malicious software. The same modus operandi has been used against all the other 15 accused in this case. The shocking revelations by Arsenal consulting demand a re-investigation, in this case, to implement justice. However, there has been no such initiative. The criminal silence continued by both the justice system and the public should be protested.
The conspired state violence against Hany Babu and other accused in the baseless Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case is highly condemnable. Hany Babu was arrested unexpectedly on July 28 2020, after he was called to Mumbai by NIA for a five-day questioning. During September 2019 and August 2020, before and after his arrest by NIA, Hany babu’s family had to endure a long and intimidating raid at their house. His books, documents, electronic devices were captured under U.A.P.A without any warrant or necessary official documents, even the basic rules of evidence collection were neglected. NIA didn’t provide them with a proper list or hash value of the data in the electronic devices, thereby consciously creating more chances for evidence tampering. Some important details revealed by his family should be added to this. During the questioning before his arrest, Hany Babu was pressurised to provide statements against others arrested in the case and thereby forcing him to become a witness in the case. It is to be rightly assumed that NIA had decided to teach a lesson to Hany Babu, who refused to comply with their demands.
It is his strong anti-caste struggles based on an Ambedkarite’s conviction and his commitment to the cause of social justice that puts Hany babu on the opposite side of the Savarna Hindutva state. Here is someone who had fought to implement OBC reservation in Delhi University and fought constantly to end discrimination against SC/ST community. Hany Babu was also actively part of the ‘Committee for the defence and release of Sai Baba’, a committee formed for his former classmate and colleague Sai Baba. Sai Baba is 90% disabled, has been denied justice and is still behind bars.
Hany Babu has been imprisoned for the past nine months, and it is indeed regrettable that there have been no voices of protest, including from Kerala, for the release of Hany Babu. The increasing cases of COVID-19 and related death in the overcrowded jails have created an atmosphere of panic among the prisoners. It is a gross human rights violation that even during this alarming situation falsely accused under trials are being tortured by the state. It is indeed cruel that the prisoners are denied of their right to visitors under the excuse of COVID-19 protocol and even parcels containing books are being rejected.
By hunting intellectuals like Hany Babu who are committed to the cause of the downtrodden, Sangh Parivar is trying to suppress all voices against their Savarna Hindutva ideologies. It is high time that we start raising voices for Hany Babu and many other innocents who are languishing in jails as victims of the state hunt. The democratic values and human rights of this country are being constrained as we speak and every moment of our silence adds to that. We need to put aside our differences and raise our voices for justice together.
K. Muraleedharan MP
E. T. Mohammed Basheer MP
M. P. Abdussamad Samadani MP
Binoy Viswam MP
K. P. A. Majeed MLA
Dr. MK Muneer MLA
VT Balram
Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal
K. Satchidanandan
BRP Bhaskar
Sunny M. Kapicadu
Professor Muhammad Ilyas
K. Ambujakshan
Dr. PT Azad
Dr. PK Pocker
PT John
NP Chekkutty
PK Prakashan
KS Hariharan
Hameed Vaniyambalam
KK Baburaj
Ilavupalam Shamsuddheen Mannani
Abdul Shukkoor Qasimi
VH Aliyar Qasimi
CK Abdul Asees
Professor Dileep Raj
P Mujeeburahman
Nahas Mala
Dr. Arun Lal
Dr. Hareesh Tharayil
Dr. Srihari A
Professor Suresh M
P Abdul Majeed Faizy
Amjad Ali EM
AS Ajith Kumar
Dr. MT Ansari
Dr. Jenny Rowena
Professor Carmel Christy
Dr. J Devika
Professor Sreebitha PV
Dr. Kavyakrishna KR
Dr. Arun Asokan
Simi K
Chithralekha E
Dr. OK Santhosh
Shihab Pokkottur
Shamseer Ibraheem
Fayiz Kanicherry
Dr. K Ashraf
Najda Raihan
Adv. Anoop VR
Ummul Fayiza
Mrudula Bhavani
Thamanna Sultana
Professor Ratheesh Krishnan
Dr. Sheeba KM
Noel Maryam George
Dr. KS Sudeep
Professor Sachin N
Shrutheesh Kannadi
Adv. Hashir K Muhammed
Professor Navaneeta Mokkil
TT Sreekumar
Professor Reshma Bharadwaj
Professor Santhosh Sadanand
Deepa Vasudevan
Dr. Khadeeja Mumthaz
Dr. Priya Chandran
Rupesh Kumar
Dr. Ajay S Shekhar
Dr. Varsha Basheer
Dr. KS Madhavan
Hari
Dr. Sadique PK Mampad
Adv. Ameen Hassan
Ajayakumar VB
Renoir Panangatt
Aleena Akashamittayi
Sreerag Parayil
Adv. Thushar Nirmal Sarathi
Shabari
Reny Aylin
Dinu Veyil
Afthab Ellath
Meharban Muhammed
PM Haroon Kavanur
Saleem Deli
Aravind VS
Razique Raheem
Joli Chirayath
Seba Shirin
Professor K Ajitha
Professor Mani PP
Feba Rasheed
Musab Abdussalam
Shan Muhammed
Sarika Pallath
KP Fathima Sherin
