PETITION FOR RELEASE OF AJAY TG, INDEPENDENT FILM MAKER
We the undersigned strongly condemn the arrest of Ajay TG, independent film maker, and social activist by the Chattisgarh police in Bhilai on 4 May 2008 and call for his immediate release.
Though no specific charges have been made known so far, the fact that he is detained under the Chattisgarh State Public Security Act – a law meant for containing ‘terrorists’- it is obvious that the allegations are likely to be drastic.
We have strong grounds to believe that Ajay is being victimised for his human rights work as an active member of the PUCL, against which the Chattisgarh government is carrying out a systematic campaign of vilification and victimisation. He is the second member of the PUCL to be arrested so far, the first being Dr Binayak Sen, well known humanitarian and General Secretary of PUCL’s Chattisgarh unit on 14 May 2007.
Apart from being a human rights activist Ajay TG is a well-known researcher and independent filmmaker. He has done research assistance work for Professor Jonathan Parry, a world-renowned social anthropologist at London School of Economics and Political Science and also participated in numerous studies conducted by universities in the United States.
As a filmmaker Ajay TG has worked on numerous projects as director, cameraman, editor and is also an accomplished graphic artist. Some of his films that have been screened at festivals abroad include ‘Living Memory’, screened at ‘A season of South Asian Documentaries and Films’, Cambridge, UK; ‘Safar’ screened at Sheffield International Film Festival, Sheffield, UK and ‘The Last Shelter’ screened at Royal Anthropological institute Film Festival, London, UK.
Since September 2005 Ajay has been voluntarily running Drksakshi, an organisation designed to provide a dignified educational environment for young girls in an urban slum in Bhilai. He is currently also State Convener for Campaign Against Child Labour and Treasurer of the All India Youth Federation, Chhattisgarh.
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I think its a sad time for the largest democracy in the world when we have taken to criminalizing civil society at the behest of our corporate masters!
The draconian measures being used against civil society protests is very reminiscent of what happened during colonial times. Possibly the only difference being that in those times we could console ourselves that it was a foreign colonial power which did this unto us, however we have no such consolation today…
Let all of us not be complacent in our little worlds, this is going to bite us all..
Ridiculous state of affairs in Chattisgarh. I really think we ought to plan a mass demonstration in Chattisgarh where a whole lot of doctors, filmmakers, academics, lawyers, writers and journalists court arrest.
The State is a lawless entity, which uses law to coerce people and bend them to its will. Those in positions of power represent the “will” of the State but, in my view, are as much in the grips of its malevolence as its victims. That is why a mere change of rulers – as in an election – makes no difference.
My wholehearted support to this petition.
istrongly condemn the arrest of ajay this is clear indication of growing fascism and shrinking democratic spaces we call upon all the democratic forces to demand the release of ajay
Release now
I endorse this statement
Sreevidya Kalaramdam, Women’s Studies
Endorse the petition
I wholeheartedly endorse this petition.
I myself and SANSAD (South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy) strongly condemn the arrest of Mr. Ajay TG. Instead of unconditionally releasing Dr. Binayak Sen and dropping all framed up charges against him, the Chattisgarh government is ruthlessly escalating its attacks on the civil society, and on people’s democratic rights.
It is time people all over India unite to mount the strongest people’s mobilization to oppose each and every case of individualized scapegoating by the state machinery and repossess the rapidly shrinking democratic space.
On Friday, May 13th, the International Day of Action
to free Binayak Sen and other political prisoners,
and to highlight the terror unleashed by government
backed vigilante army, Salwa Judum, we are marching
to the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, in concert
with similar actions planned in other cities. We will gather at the consulate at 9:30 pm. For more
details, please go to http://www.aidboston.org/FreeBinayakSen/actions.htm
Dear Sanjeev Mahajan,
We Updated the news about San Francisco March in the website yesterday itself See this post . Please sent us updates on contact at binayaksen.net
The arrest of Ajay T.G is yet another attempt to intimidate all who would raise their voices for freedom, peace and justice.
Let the sinister moves by the State to violently suppress peoples aspirations for dignified existence be exposed and challenged by lawful means.
This may just be the beginning of a totalitarian regime.One feels frustrated and angry at the same time. And yet the fact that we are able to raise our voices gives hope.Both the releases should be immediate and simultaneous.
I endorse the petition.
With all those hoodlums sitting in powerful places- the police catch the wrong guy!
I endorse the petition and ask for an immediate release of Dr. Sen and all others who have been illegally detained by the government machinery, in all the states. I endorse my strong protest against the present practice of such detaining as nothing but absolute tyranny.
This is about law and order. Freedom of expression fell to it when Taslima Nasreen was taken away from Kolkata. Freedom of movement fell to it yesterday, for me and ten of my oolleagues, when the State prevented us from going to to see the electoral process in Nandigram.
So what is it? We can let its victims reply. The world over, people know about Binayak Sen. Prashant Rahi’s is a pan Indian name. Mithu Ghosh and Himadri Sen roy are as well known in West Bengal. But who has heard the names of the hundreds of poor indians imprisoned, in Krishnanagar jail, in the state’s Nadia district? I learned about their existence yesterday, from Choton Das who was in that jail for a brief period till the day before. They are in for not obeying the CPI (M). On entry, they are given the choice of one of two charges, attempt to rape or attempt to murder.
I implore India to release this sainted humanitarian
servant to the poor and oppressed Ajay TG, Independent film maker
Support to release Ajay
Repeal the Chattisgarh anti-democratic law, release Ajay
Releae Ajay immediately. Scrap the CPSA and other Acts that facilitate state terror.
dear sir
We are planning a signature campaign and one day Dharana in front of Government Secratariate in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 14 August 2008 demanding the release of Dr Sen.
expecting