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After six years in jail, Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale have been released on bail

After six years in jail, Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale have been released on bail

Poster by #bakeryprasad

Peoples Dispatch / by Abdul Rahman

After spending six years in jail without trial, Indian activists Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawle were finally granted bail.
Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawle, two of the 16 human rights activists arrested in the Bhima Koreagaon case under India’s draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), were released on bail on January 24 after spending nearly six and half years in prison waiting for trial.
… Nevertheless, they were released on stringent bail conditions including regular visits to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters, surrender of their passports, restrictions on travel outside Mumbai and a surety of 100,000 rupees (USD 1,142).
Read more


Also read:
Sudhir Dhawale interview: ‘The law remains blind to injustice even with the blindfold gone’ (Scroll.in / Feb 2025)
Interview | Sudhir Dhawale’s Work Will Go on (The Wire / Feb 2025)
Rona Wilson interview: ‘My arrest was a warning to others who stand against the abuse of power’ (Scroll.in / Feb 2025)
Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale released: Seven years of injustice by a state that punishes dissent [read order] (Sabrangindia / Jan 2025)

Sudhir Dhawale interview: ‘The law remains blind to injustice even with the blindfold gone’

Sudhir Dhawale interview: ‘The law remains blind to injustice even with the blindfold gone’

Credits: Tabassum Barnagarwala/Scroll.in

Scroll.in / by Tabassum Barnagarwala

The writer spent six years and seven months in jail before receiving bail in the Bhima Koregaon case.
On January 24, when Sudhir Dhawale walked back into the narrow lane in the Mumbai neighbourhood of Govandi where he lived until he was arrested in June, 2018, young men welcomed him with the beat of the dhol.
His neighbours then marched in a celebratory procession to a statue of BR Ambedkar 100 metres away. Dhawale garlanded the statue and gave a short speech about the importance of safeguarding Dalit rights. And just like that, he said, his life returned to normal.
Read more


Also read:
Interview | Sudhir Dhawale’s Work Will Go on (The Wire / Feb 2025)
Rona Wilson interview: ‘My arrest was a warning to others who stand against the abuse of power’ (Scroll.in / Feb 2025)
Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale released: Seven years of injustice by a state that punishes dissent [read order] (Sabrangindia / Jan 2025)
Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati │ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)

Interview | Sudhir Dhawale’s Work Will Go on

Interview | Sudhir Dhawale’s Work Will Go on

Credits: Sukanya Shantha/The Wire

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

The lifelong activist spent 2,422 days in jail. But through personal loss, injustice and 23 months of solitary confinement, the activist has fought for what he has believed to be right.
A day after Father Stan Swamy passed away, Sudhir Dhawale, overcome with emotion, sat down in his barrack and wrote a long poem. “Words just flowed,” he says.
Dhawale, a prolific writer, author of several books, and editor of the radical anti-caste bi-monthly magazine Vidrohi, had never before written poetry. This was his first. But in the three-and-a-half years since Swamy’s death, Dhawale has written at least a hundred more – on issues that directly impact him, on news that stirs his emotions, on politics that kept him awake in prison, on Modi, on the “Manuwaadi” government, and even on society’s apathy towards “corroding democracy.”
Read more


Also read:
Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale released: Seven years of injustice by a state that punishes dissent [read order] (Sabrangindia / Jan 2025)
Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale Get Bail After 6.5 Years of Jail in Elgar Parishad Case (The Wire / Jan 2025)

Convention demands protection of adivasi rights, repeal of repressive laws

Convention demands protection of adivasi rights, repeal of repressive laws

Pic credit: countercurrents.org

‘Provincial Convention against Repression’ in Barnala, Punjab

22/01/2025

Countercurrents / by Harsh Thakor

The Democratic Front against Operation Green Hunt, Punjab, organised a ‘Provincial Convention against Repression’ at Tarksheel Bhawan in Barnala on January 19th. The convention, convened by Buta Sing, Parminder Singh and AK Maleri and by prominent tribal rights activist and researcher Bela Bhattia, as well as Narvsharan Kaur; garnered leaders, intellectuals, and activists of diverse spheres discuss issues concerning tribal rights and state repression and unite at a common platform.

Narvsharan … also delved into the conspiracy launched by the pro-Hindutva state, in the Bhima Koregaon case. She addressed how the Hindutva brigade plagued the rights of all sections of society, and stripped civilians of basic human rights in Manipur and Kashmir.
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Convention demands protection of tribal rights, repeal of repressive laws

22/01/2025

The Tribune / by Tribune Correspondent

The Democratic Front against Operation Green Hunt, Punjab, organised a ‘Provincial Convention against Repression’ at Tarksheel Bhawan in Barnala recently. The convention, presided over by prominent tribal rights activist and researcher Bela Bhattia, brought together various leaders, intellectuals, and activists.
The Democratic Front against Operation Green Hunt, Punjab, organised a ‘Provincial Convention against Repression’ at Tarksheel Bhawan in Barnala recently. The convention, presided over by prominent tribal rights activist and researcher Bela Bhattia, brought together various leaders, intellectuals, and activists to discuss issues concerning tribal rights and state repression.
Read more


Also read:
Himanshu Kumar’s cycle march and advocacy against opression (The Polis Project / Dec 2025)
Statement against the drone bomb attacks in Chhattisgarh, India (India Matters / April 2023)

Bhima Koregaon Case: From Caste Violence To Naxal Conspiracy

Bhima Koregaon Case: From Caste Violence To Naxal Conspiracy

Outlook / by Shweta Desai

The Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case began after caste violence broke out during a Dalit gathering in 2018 near Pune. It later turned into allegations of a Maoist conspiracy, leading to the arrest of several activists.
Last week, the Bombay High Court granted bail to prominent rights activists Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case. The two were arrested on the accusations of being ‘urban naxals’ and linked to the banned CPI(Maoist) organisation. Of the 16 accused–including Wilson, Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, and activists like Arun Ferreira, Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao, and lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj–Father Stan Swamy died in custody while many others are out on bail. 
As of 2025, no charges have been framed against the accused, and the trial is yet to begin with over 300 witnesses to testify in the case. 
Read more


Also read:
Book Excerpt | How Bhima Koregaon Became a Trope for Dalit Pride and Assertion (The Wire / June 2024)
Bhima Koregaon: The process continues to clot as punishment as another year passes by (The Leaflet / Jan 2024)
Bhima Koregaon Violence: Four Different Theories, but No Justice in Sight (The Wire / Jan 2022)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part I | History of a 200-year-old battle and why it still matters (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part II | Why Elgar Parishad spooked Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote, the alleged architects of January 1, 2018 anti-Dalit violence (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)

Lakhs of people gather at Jaystambh / Political Leaders Foray to Capture Bhima-Koregaon

Lakhs of people gather at Jaystambh / Political Leaders Foray to Capture Bhima-Koregaon

By The Dalit Voice / @ambedkariteIND (Jan 2):
More than 2 million people visit Bhima Koregaon on Shaurya Diwas.


207th anniversary of Battle of Koregaon Bhima: We will kick those who oppose Dr Ambedkar, rhymes Ramdas Athavle

01/01/2025

The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde

Lakhs visit Jaystambh in Pune, no untoward incident reported, say police
Over six lakh people, mainly followers of Dr B R Ambedkar from different parts of the country, visited the ‘Jaystambh’ at Perne village in Pune district to mark the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima on Wednesday.
Read more


About 10 lakh people tribute peacefully at Koregaon Bhima victory pillar

01/01/2025

Times of India / by Sandip Dighe

About 10 lakh people on Wednesday paid tributes at the Koregaon Bhima Jaystambh (victory pillar) at Perne village, about 30km from the city on the highway to Ahmednagar road.
People from all walks of life went there to commemorate the 207th anniversary of the battle of Koregaon Bhima fought between the East India Company and the Peshwa of the Maratha empire on January 1, 1818.
Read more


In Maharashtra, Fadnavis’s Foray to Capture Bhima-Koregaon

01/01/2025

The Wire / by Anand Teltumbde

The scale and nature of Maharashtra government’s involvement in the forthcoming celebration at Bhima-Koregaon raises questions, especially in light of the historical significance of the event as a symbol of anti-caste resistance.
The upcoming congregation on January 1, 2025 at Bhima-Koregaon is being actively sponsored by the state government under the leadership of the returning Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis. After reclaiming the chief ministerial position following a six-year hiatus, this initiative marks one of his first major undertakings, thereby carrying immense political significance.
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Graphic by Arun Ferreira & Vernon Gonsalves

People gather in large numbers at Bhima Koregaon village to mark 207th anniversary of battle

01/01/2025

The News Mill / by ani

A large number of people on Wednesday gathered at Koregaon Bhima village in Maharashtra’s Pune to mark the 207th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon Battle at the Vijay Stambha memorial erected in honour of the soldiers who fought in the battle.
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Political leaders pay tribute at the Bhima Koregaon Memorial

01/01/2025

The Mooknayak / by Pratikshit Singh

Every year on 1st January, lakhs of people assemble at Jay Stambh, the memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the historic Bhima Koregaon Battle.
Prakash Ambedkar, the president of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and grandson of Dr. Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar visited Jay Stambha, the Bhima Koregaon memorial and paid tributes to the martyrs of the historic battle.
Read more


Security Heightened As Uneasiness Looms Over Bhima-Koregaon Anniversary

30/12/2024

Free Press Journal / by Ashish Singh

For the Dalit community, the battle represents a significant moment of pride, as they view the victory as symbolic of their resistance against the upper-caste oppression of the Maratha Peshwa regime.
In light of a recent incident in Parbhani district, the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon (1818), scheduled for January 1, 2025, is being watched by security agencies. The agencies are on high alert due to concerns about the law and order situation.
Read more


Also read:
Book Excerpt | How Bhima Koregaon Became a Trope for Dalit Pride and Assertion (The Wire / June 2024)
Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati │ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)
Why peoples’ coalitions are uniting against Hindutva — the ‘new Peshwai’ (Dailyo.in │ by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves │ Jan 2018)

Fadnavis’ obsession with ‘urban naxals’, and a lawless Beed

Fadnavis’ obsession with ‘urban naxals’, and a lawless Beed

Drawing by Arun Fereirra

National Herald / by Navin Kumar

Several observers believe that the BJP government anticipates a number of popular unrests in the state in the coming months and is gearing up to deal with people’s anger
… It was during Fadnavis’s last tenure as chief minister that the Maharashtra police initiated the infamous Bhima-Koregaon conspiracy case. Though the case is crumbling in court, it enabled the police to arrest a large number of human rights activists including Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in addition to Father Stan Swamy (who died in prison), Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Vernon Gonsalves and Prof. Shoma Sen. Activists and civil society believe Fadnavis is setting the stage for a sequel.
Read more


Also read:
Is Devendra Fadnavis planning another crackdown like Bhima-Koregaon? (National Herald / Dec 2024)
Maharashtra re-introduces Bill to curb ‘urban Naxals’ (Rediff.com / Dec 2024)
A New Bill Shows Maharashtra Wants to Become a Police State Before Combatting Left-Wing Extremism (The Wire / Jul 2024)
Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired.com / June 2022)
Maharashtra: Activists, Lawyers Added to ‘Union War Book’, Listed as ‘Enemies of the State’ (The Wire / Jul 2021)
Transfer of Bhima-Koregaon case to NIA appropriate: Devendra Fadnavis (Deccan Herald / Jan 2020)

Cyber police to monitor social media ahead of Bhima Koregaon celebrations 

Cyber police to monitor social media ahead of Bhima Koregaon celebrations 

Booklet: “Salaakhon Mein Qaid Avaazein” (Access PDF)

Hindustan Times / by Nadeem Inamdar

Lakhs of Dalits converge at Jaystambh (victory pillar) at Perne phata in Koregaon Bhima village on Jan 1 to commemorate the victory of Dalit Mahars over the Peshwa army on January 1, 1818
The Pune police will be keeping a close watch on anti-social elements and those who spread misinformation including inflammatory messages on social media ahead of the Bhima Koregaon celebrations scheduled to take place on January 1, 2025 said Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar during a meeting with Dalit organisations in the run-up to the celebrations on Friday.
Read more


Also read:
Massive Turnout Expected for Bhima Koregaon Ceremony at Perne Phata on January 1, 2025 (Free Press Journal / Dec 2024)
Book Excerpt | How Bhima Koregaon Became a Trope for Dalit Pride and Assertion (The Wire / June 2024)
Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired.com / June 2022)
Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati │ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)
The Myth of Bhima Koregaon Reinforces the Identities It Seeks to Transcend (The Wire | Anand Teltumbde | Jan 2018)
Why peoples’ coalitions are uniting against Hindutva — the ‘new Peshwai’ (Dailyo.in │ by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves │ Jan 2018)

Is Devendra Fadnavis planning another crackdown like Bhima-Koregaon?

Is Devendra Fadnavis planning another crackdown like Bhima-Koregaon?

Drawing by Arun Fereirra

Is Devendra Fadnavis planning another crackdown like Bhima-Koregaon?

21/12/2024

National Herald / by AJ Prabal

Why would the Maharashtra chief minister require a new law to deal with alleged ‘urban Naxals’?
One of the first acts of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has been to introduce a special legislation to deal with ‘urban Naxals’ in the state.
… Recalling the Bhima-Koregaon case lodged in 2018 when Fadnavis was once again chief minister, Yadav suspected that Maharashtra Police could be planning a similar crackdown on political rivals and activists.
Read more


Fadnavis won’t be called for deposing before Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry

19/12/2024

The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde

Prakash Ambedkar had submitted a letter in June 2023 to the commission demanding deposition of Fadnavis, Mallick and Suvez Haque, the then superintendent of police, Pune Rural, as witness in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the Koregaon Bhima violence.
The Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry, which is probing into the causes of violence reported in Koregaon Bhima area in Pune district on January 1, 2018, has decided not to call Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for deposing as a witness.
Read more


Also read:
Maharashtra re-introduces Bill to curb ‘urban Naxals’ (Rediff.com / Dec 2024)
A New Bill Shows Maharashtra Wants to Become a Police State Before Combatting Left-Wing Extremism (The Wire / Jul 2024)
Maharashtra: Activists, Lawyers Added to ‘Union War Book’, Listed as ‘Enemies of the State’ (The Wire / Jul 2021)
Transfer of Bhima-Koregaon case to NIA appropriate: Devendra Fadnavis (Deccan Herald / Jan 2020)

US Court Finds Israel’s NSO Group, Which Sells Pegasus Spyware, Liable for WhatsApp Attacks

US Court Finds Israel’s NSO Group, Which Sells Pegasus Spyware, Liable for WhatsApp Attacks

Illustration credits: The Wire

US Court Finds NSO Liable For Hacking Of WhatsApp Using Pegasus Malware

21/12/2024

Live Law / by Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

In a summary judgment, Judge Phyllis Hamilton of the US District Court in Oakland, Northern District of California has found Israeli-mercenary’s surveillance firm NSO Group Technologies (also known as Q Cyber Technologies) liable for the hacking of Meta’s Whatsapp through its state-of-the-art military-grade malware Pegasus.
… Journalists, human rights activists, Dalit rights and anti-caste activists accused in the infamous Bhima-Koregaon Elgar Parishad under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, of 1967 were said to be the primary targets of the spyware.
Read more


Poster by #bakeryprasad

US court finds Pegasus spyware maker liable for unauthorised surveillance of 1,400 WhatsApp users

21/12/2024

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The NSO Group violated federal legislation against unauthorised access to computers, networks and other digital information, said the court.
A district court in the United States on Friday held Israeli cyber intelligence company NSO Group liable for unauthorised surveillance of 1,400 users of the messaging application WhatsApp using its spyware Pegasus in 2019, reported Reuters.
Read more


US Court Finds Israel’s NSO Group, Which Sells Pegasus Spyware, Liable for WhatsApp Attacks

21/12/2024

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

The judge noted that the NSO Group repeatedly failed to produce “relevant discovery and failed to obey court orders regarding such discovery.”
New Delhi: A US district court has found Israel’s NSO Group – which sells the Pegasus spyware – liable in a 2019 lawsuit brought by the messaging app WhatsApp, citing breaches in 1,400 devices.
Read more


Pegasus: 300 of 1,400 users from India, why ruling may re-open tapping debate

22/12/2024

The Indian Express / by Soumyarendra Barik

The decision came in a case filed by Meta-owned WhatsApp against the NSO Group, with the judge in the case, Phyllis Hamilton, holding that the Israeli spyware maker was liable for targeting the devices of 1,400 WhatsApp users
For the first time, a court in the US has held Israel’s NSO Group liable for its intrusive spyware Pegasus, which could set up a measure of accountability for the company that it has, for long, allegedly downplayed.
Read more


Also read:
India: Damning new forensic investigation reveals repeated use of Pegasus spyware to target high-profile journalists (Amnesty.org / Dec 2023)
Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired.com / June 2022)
Leaked Data Shows Surveillance Net in Elgar Parishad Case May Have Crossed a Line (The Wire / July 2021)