New Delhi: On December 3, prominent Supreme Court lawyers, activists, writers, and politicians united at the Press Club of India under the banner of “Concerned Citizens” to condemn the harassment of human rights defender Nadeem Khan. The gathering, marked by fiery speeches and unwavering solidarity, sent a resounding message: “Enough is enough!”
Nadeem Khan, the national secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), is under fire after the Delhi Police registered an FIR against him on charges of promoting enmity and criminal conspiracy. The charges stem from a viral video documenting hate crimes, leading to his interim protection from arrest by the Delhi High Court until December 6.
Advocates Decry Police Action
At the press conference, senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan criticized the FIR, asserting that highlighting hate crimes and injustices cannot be criminalized. Bhushan accused the police of complicity in hate crimes, citing their swift attempt to detain Khan in Bengaluru. “Instead of taking action against those responsible for lynchings and hate speech, the police are targeting activists who courageously speak the truth,” he said.
Bhushan lauded Khan and APCR for their critical role in documenting and addressing civil rights violations. He highlighted their swift response to injustices and contrasted it with the inaction against hate speakers like Yati Narsinghanand. He also questioned the judiciary’s silence on the FIR against Alt News founder Mohammad Zubair, who exposed hate speech incidents.
Widening Repression
Writer and activist Farah Naqvi, who moderated the event, described the charges against Khan as a direct attack on free expression. “Documenting lynchings, demolitions, and hate speeches is not a crime,” she said. Naqvi pointed out the absurdity of labeling such efforts as promoting enmity while ignoring the real perpetrators of hate crimes. “Are we creating a new crime in this country—the crime of speaking the truth?” she asked.
Naqvi underscored the broader implications of Khan’s harassment, calling it a warning to all those who dare to challenge the status quo. “This is an attack on democracy itself,” she declared.
Harassment Beyond Legal Norms
Supreme Court advocate Nizam Pasha highlighted the irregularities in Khan’s case, noting the unusually hasty actions by Delhi Police, who raided Khan’s brother’s home in Bengaluru just hours after filing the FIR. Pasha criticized the blatant misuse of legal provisions to intimidate human rights defenders.
Kavita Srivastava, president of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), condemned the raid on APCR’s Delhi office, calling it a violation of due process. PUCL issued a statement denouncing the harassment, framing it as part of a broader campaign to silence dissent.
Politicians and Activists Speak Out
Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha expressed despair over the judiciary’s inaction, calling it a “lost hope.” Jha remarked, “If criminal sections were applied to all preaching hate, the entire Cabinet of Narendra Modi’s government should be behind bars.”
Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, former Planning Commission member, voiced her support for Khan, commending his unwavering commitment to justice.
A Call to Defend Democracy
The press meet concluded with a collective resolve to resist the growing atmosphere of repression. Activists emphasized the need to defend democratic values and ensure accountability for hate crimes. “If speaking out against injustice is a crime, what will become of our democracy?” Naqvi questioned.
The gathering emphasised urgent need for solidarity in defending human rights and free expression, with speakers demanding accountability from both the police and judiciary to uphold the rule of law and constitutional principles.
