Since January 2018 there have been a series of arrests of workers, trade unionists, activists, journalists, lawyers, intellectuals and artists in India. These arrests mark an onslaught on the voices of dissent and democracy that are resisting the current government’s majoritarian, regressive politics of right wing Hindu nationalism. Sixteen people (the BK16) have been arrested for inciting violence at the bi-centennial commemoration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, held at Pune on January 1, 2018. This while the real perpetrators of the incident – members of a Hindu right wing group, roam free with impunity. Further allegations against the arrested is of being active members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), a banned political party in India. The BK16 have been arrested under the draconian anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and face the prospect of being imprisoned as undertrials for a long time, even if acquitted eventually.
The common thread that brings these individuals together is their committed efforts to bring forth the voices and causes of marginalised and oppressed people- dalits, adivasis, workers, farmers and women, living in different parts of the country. This website seeks to document the cases, and provide updates.