Students demand justice for 16 Dalit activists who have been behind bars for three years without official charges under the UAPA

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a powerful display of solidarity and support, over 50 students from Azim Premji University in Bengaluru gathered on Monday to demand the release of 16 Dalit activists who were arrested in 2018 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

These activists, who were advocates for marginalised groups, were accused of inciting violence during a celebration in Bhima Koregaon. Despite no official charges being brought up against them three years later, they remain behind bars.

The students, who marked five years since the Bhima Koregaon raids, raised slogans, recited poetry, held posters, and shared stories about the incident to express their support for the arrested activists. This gathering was an important reminder of the need to stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for justice and equality, and to push back against any attacks on the freedom of activists.

Satyakaam, a secondyear student who organised the #RepealUAPA on Monday, addressed the students who participated and said, "Whatever ideology may be, any attack on the freedom of the activist is an attack on the people, so it is important to show solidarity with them."

Enacted in 1967, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) is an anti-terrorism law that aimed to enhance the Indian government's ability to address individuals who posed or were perceived to pose, a threat to national or economic security