Anti-Muslim massacres in Gujarat: a famous Indian activist arrested

Activist Teesta Setalvad (right) speaks to the press, February 24, 2012 on the tenth anniversary of the anti-Muslim pogroms in Gujarat.

AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The famous activist Teesta Setalvad, whose NGO sought to establish the responsibilities in the anti-Muslim pogrom of 2002 in Gujarat, of which Narendra Modi was then the chief minister, was arrested on Saturday June 25.

The Supreme Court found that the activist knowingly fabricated false accusations against the state. 

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With our correspondent in Bangalore,

Côme Bastin

In 2002, violent riots broke out in Gujarat, leading to the death of nearly a thousand people, mainly Muslims.

Narendra Modi is accused of having remained passive in the face of these massacres.

But the Indian Prime Minister has since been cleared, in particular by the Supreme Court. 

The NGO

Citizens for justice and peace

of

Teesta Setalvad

had filed a petition with the high Indian institution to continue to investigate the responsibility of the government of Narendra Modi, who has since become Prime Minister of India.

In response, the Supreme Court ruled that the activist was engaging in conspiracy against the Hindu nationalist party BJP and the Gujarat police, even accusing him of fabricating evidence. 

Political prisoners

Less than 24 hours after this decision, Teesta Setalvad was picked up from her home in Bombay on Saturday June 25 and taken by anti-terrorist police to Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat.

The activist spoke out against this warrantless arrest.

She says she was unable to speak to her lawyer. 

RB Sreekumar, former director of Gujarat police who had also taken a stand against the government, was also arrested on Friday.

Both join the long list of Indian opponents thrown behind bars without trial in the name of anti-terrorism.

►Also read: 

In India, the anti-Muslim remarks of a BJP figure continue to divide

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  • India

  • Narendra Damodardas Modi

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