Amnesty Flags Shrinking Protest Space
Amnesty International has demanded the immediate release of Cockroach Janta Party co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Statement Details
- Leaders remanded to five-day judicial custody on 14 October after entering de-notified Jantar Mantar.
- Amnesty cites removal of site’s designation and use of criminal justice system against peaceful assembly.
- Ajinkya Shinde released on personal bond of Rs 5,000.
"The authorities cannot claim to protect the right to protest while denotifying established protest sites and arresting people who attempt to use them." — Aakar Patel, Chair of Board, Amnesty International India
Background
- Entry occurred after Jantar Mantar de-notification.
- Prior one-year peace bonds signed following 10 October airport detention.
- Core demand: resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over SIR voter roll revisions.
Amnesty warns restrictions display authoritarian tendencies and hollow out the right to peaceful assembly.