250+ activists from across India call for immediate release of Jammu and Kashmir’s environmental defenders

National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)
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Urgent Press Release

Support democratic and peaceful movements for safeguarding ecology in J&K and the entire Himalayan region

13th Nov, 2024: More than 250 activists from different parts of India and diverse organizations signed on to a statement initiated by the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), strongly condemning the arbitrary detention of 6 social and environmental activists in Jammu & Kashmir, under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The signatories called for their immediate release and withdrawal of cases filed against them, for exercising their legitimate right to raise ecological concerns. All those detained Mohammad Abdullah Gujjar (resident of Sigdi Bhata), Noor Din (resident of Kakerwagan), Ghulam Nabi Choppan (resident of Trungi - Dachhan), Mohammad Jaffer Sheikh (resident of Nattas, Dool), Mohammad Ramzan (resident of Dangduroo - Dachhan), trade union leaders from Kishtwar district and Rehamatullah from Doda District (J&K) were only raising pertinent issues regarding socio-environmental impacts of large projects as well as solid waste management.

Some of the key signatories from over 20+ states, include notable activists, academics, advocates like: Prof. Roop Rekha Verma, Rama Teltumbde, Soumya Dutta, Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty, Prof. Uma Chakravarti, Lalita Ramdas, Kavita Srivastava, Adv Indira Unninayar, Dr. Sandeep Pandey, Elina Horo, Mayalmit Lepcha, Himanshu Thakkar, Anuradha Bhasin, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Anmol Ohri, Mohd Ishak, Shamsul Islam, Arun Khote, Anand Patwardhan, John Dayal, Dunu Roy, Dr. Nandita Narrain, Raja Muzaffar Bhatt, Prafulla Samantara, Prof. Padmaja Shaw, Hasina Khan, Ashok Chowdhury, Yash Marwah, Cedric Prakash, Ruchit Asha Kamal, Adv Vinay Sreenivasa, Dr. Gabriele Dieterich, Manshi Asher, Kailash Meena, Suhas Kolhekar, Vidya Dinker, Madhuri, Bittu KR, Bhanu Tatak, AS Vasantha, Prasad Chacko, Adv Vertika, Meera Sanghamitra and many others.

The signatories supported the activists stating, “socio-ecological justice activism and raising legitimate concerns should not be mislabeled as "anti-national. Attempts to silence dissent by branding it as "anti-national" weaken the foundations of democratic governance and hinder constructive dialogue on pressing social issues”. Such actions of the State undermine people’s right to hold authorities accountable, the right to peaceful protest and community involvement in decision making processes. It must be emphasized that popular opposition to hydro-power, mega infrastructure is not isolated to the region of Jammu & Kashmir, but is seen across the Himalayan states, given the enviro, socio-economic threats these projects pose to the region at large. Thus, clamping down on ecological movements in the region only hampers the much-needed struggle to combat climate crisis.

An appeal was made both to the newly formed government in Jammu & Kashmir and to the Union Government not to resort to high-handed interventions, as people on the ground voice legitimate concerns in a peaceful way. The signatories hoped that as the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference at Baku (COP29) is underway, necessary attention would be paid to environmental defenders back home, safeguarding ecology at great risk.

The full text of the statement with all signatories is below.

For details: Write to napmindia@gmail.com

Statement by 250 activists and organizations from across India

Stop Arbitrary Detentions and Intimidation of Social & Environmental Activists in Jammu & Kashmir

Save Ecology & Uphold Democratic Rights in J&K and entire Himalayan Region

Release all detained activists immediately: Withdraw arbitrary cases

13th Nov, 2024: National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), along with other people’s organizations and concerned citizens from across India strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of social and environmental activists in Jammu & Kashmir under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Those detained under the provisions of J&K Public Safety Act, 1978, include Mohammad Abdullah Gujjar (resident of Sigdi Bhata), Noor Din (resident of Kakerwagan), Ghulam Nabi Choppan (resident of Trungi - Dachhan), Mohammad Jaffer Sheikh (resident of Nattas, Dool) and Mohammad Ramzan (resident of Dangduroo - Dachhan), trade union leaders from Kishtwar district.

The authorities claim that these persons were attempting to ‘obstruct projects of national importance’. However, according to local sources and social media posts of activists and journalists from the Chenab Valley, the detained activists were voicing several specific concerns about the hydropower projects including infrastructure-related impacts and damages, environmental violations, denial of compensation and rehabilitation etc. They also alleged that local houses and properties suffered severe damage due to project-related blasting and that construction work reportedly caused ‘structural integrity issues’ in nearby buildings. It is learnt that 22 other persons have been placed under state ‘surveillance’ and we fear that they may also be subject to arbitrary detention or arrests.

It has also been reported that another young climate activist Rehamatullah (25), from Dessa Bhatta of Doda (J&K), who has been vocal about environmental issues and was actively uncovering a solid waste management scam, has been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). His work exposed the alleged misuse of funds and negligence in managing local waste, affecting public health and the environment. These detentions have raised concerns among local communities and environmental organizations, who view it as a suppression of environmental activism and transparency efforts.

We are of the earnest view that the detention of these activists who have only been advocating for the protection of local ecosystems, people’s democratic rights and truly sustainable development, undermine the right to hold authorities accountable, the right to peaceful protest and community involvement in decision making processes. It also represents a troubling misuse of power and a suppression of fundamental rights, which should alarm every citizen who believes in democracy and justice.

The criminalization of activism in Jammu and Kashmir, exemplified by laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA), has systematically suppressed local voices. We must unite in support of activists, including climate justice activists, and support their well-meaning advocacy efforts in J&K. It is imperative that the new government that has been voted to power in J&K with expectations that at least some democratic rights would be upheld, must live up to this popular mandate. Even as issues and subjects of federal rights are divided between the Centre and J&K, we expect the Lieutenant Governor and the Central Government to act responsibly and refrain from high-handed interventions, as people on the ground voice legitimate concerns in a peaceful way.

It must be emphasized that popular opposition to hydro-power and mega infrastructure is not isolated to the region of Jammu & Kashmir, but is seen across the Himalayan states, given the environmental and socio-economic threats these projects pose to the region at large. Thus, clamping down on ecological movements in the region only hampers the much-needed struggle to combat climate crisis.

NAPM strongly asserts that socio-ecological justice activism and the act of raising legitimate concerns should not be mis-labelled as "anti-national." Attempts to silence dissent by branding it as "anti-national" weaken the foundations of democratic governance and hinder constructive dialogue on pressing social issues.

We call for the immediate and unconditional release all detainees and demand that the PSA, other charges against them be withdrawn. Activism and dissent are essential components of a healthy democracy, and they should be respected rather than criminalized. The authorities must instead impartially inquire into the allegations of corruption, ensure participatory socio-environmental impact assessments and prioritize ecological justice. As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference kickstarts at Baku (COP29), we hope necessary attention would be paid to environmental defenders back home, safeguarding ecology at great risk.

List of Signatories

1. Hananya AS Student Mumbai, Maharashtra
2. Paran Amitava Researcher Ranchi, Jharkhand
3. Meera Sanghamitra Social Activist, NAPM Hyderabad
4. AVS Krishna Chaitanya Software Engineer Hyderabad
5. Mahnoor Drama therapist Hyderabad/Telangana
6. Heman Researcher Ahmedabad
7. Nikita Naidu Climate Action Consultant Hyderabad, Telangana
8. Anannya PhD scholar New Delhi
9. Kavita Srivastava PUCL Jaipur/ Rajasthan
10. Tannuja Chauhan Visual Artist New Delhi
11. John Michael NAPM National Urban Struggles Forum Hyderabad
12. Annapurna Menon Lecturer Jaipur, Rajasthan
13. Yash Agrawal Fridays For Future Mumbai Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
14. Elina Horo Adivasi Women’s Network Ranchi, Jharkhand
15. Natasha Pereira Self-employed Mumbai
16. Saravanan V PhD Student, JNU New Delhi
17. Sabique Hasan Ahmed Greenkeepers/Student Guwahati, Assam
18. Bhumi Student Shimla
19. Aditya Partap Singh Student New Delhi
20. Habiburrahman Accounts Chennai
21. Mayalmit lepcha Affected citizens of Teesta Sikkim
22. Sara Professor Tamil Nadu
23. Kailash Mina Napm Neemkathana Rajasthan
24. Arundhati Dhuru NAPM Lucknow UP
25. Dr Sandeep Pandey Socialist Party (India) U P
26. Manshi Asher Himdhara Collective Himachal Pradesh
27. Nikita Jain Journalist Delhi
28. Nishant Bangera Muse Foundation Mumbai
29. Oindrila Climate Advocate Visakhapatnam
30. Varshith.M Student Andhra Pradesh
31. Seema khaleel Conservationist Karnataka
32. Mohammad Ishak Social Worker Uttarakhand
33. Rakesh Shivaji Gholap Social worker Thane ,/ Maharashtra
34. Ramnarayan Ecologist Uttarakhand
35. Shreyas Pande Journalist Mumbai
36. Koninika Ray National Federation of Indian Women New Delhi
37. Syed Juneed ul Haq Andrabi NAPM J&K Shopian
38. Roop Rekha Verma Individual Lucknow
39. Kumar Mukesh Social Activist Kaithal/Haryana
40. Shubham Kothari JHSS/Activist Mumbai/Maharashtra
41. sanjana Consultant Maharashtra
42. Ankita Marwaha Social campaigner New Delhi
43. Nisha Biswas Scientist Kolkata
44. Rahee S G Student Pune/ Delhi
45. Roopashri Sinha Freelance researcher Maharashtra
46. Dr Vijay Rukmini Rao Development Nalgonda, Telangana
47. Sujata Patel Teacher and Researcher Maharashtra
48. Chakri Samalochana Anakapalle
49. Sanober Keshwaar Retired law lecturer Mm
50. Rosamma Thomas Freelancer Pala town, Kerala
51. Deepa Gender Consultant Bhopal/Madhya Pradesh
52. Osama Rawal Students Thane/ Maharashtra
53. Sagari Ramdas Food Sovereignty Alliance, India Hyderabad, Telangana
54. Shamsul Islam Former faculty Delhi University NCR
55. Neelima Sharma Street theatre NCR
56. Ambika Tandon PhD student Delhi
57. anamik shah Professor Rajkot/Gujarat
58. ARUN KHOTE Justice News Lucknow
59. Ashish Advocate Telangana
60. Indira Public Health Delhi
61. Frazer Mascarenhas Academic Administrator Mumbai
62. sharmila academic, IITB Mumbai, Maharashtra
63. Suhas Kolhekar National Alliance of People’s Movements Pune
64. P. Rohini Rajasekaran Multi-disciplinary Artist Bengaluru
65. Youth For Himalaya Youth For Himalaya India
66. Sandeep Pandey Socialist Party (India) Lucknow
67. Shehbaz Student activist Mumbai
68. Ayaskant Das Independent Journalist Delhi
69. Ayaz Niyaz Ahmad Fatima shaikh study circle Thane, Maharashtra
70. Vidya Dinker INSAF Mangalore
71. Pervin Jehangir Social Work Mumbai
72. Madhuri social activist Madhya Pradesh
73. Rohin Kumar Journalist Delhi
74. Nina Verma NA Mumbai
75. Pritam Student Aasssm
76. Harpuneet Kaur PFUS Chandigarh, Punjab
77. Shiva Shankar Professor, retired Chennai
78. Alok Ranjan Climate campaigner New Delhi
79. Freny Manecksha Independent journalist Thane Maharashtra
80. Kaneez Fathima Civil Rights Activist Telangana
81. Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan Editor, The Milli Gazette New Delhi
82. Amir Rizvi Designer Mumbai
83. Anand Patwardhan None Mumbai
84. M A Lateef Atear Secretary Hyderabad
85. Shalini Dhawan Designer Mumbai
86. Dunu Roy Hazards Centre New Delhi/Delhi
87. Rama TELTUMBDE - Mumbai/ Maharashtra
88. Sayed safiulla Working Karnataka
89. K. Sajaya Women & Transgender Orgs JAC Hyderabad/ Telangana
90. Rita Manchanda Independent Researcher and Writer Delhi
91. Uma Shankari Farmer, Citizen Hyderabad, Telangana
92. Vijayasingh Ronald David Coorg Organisation for Rural Development Kushalnagar
93. Yusuf Shaikh Retired Karad
94. Kamayani Trainer Gender , Health and Human Rights Mumbai
95. Manvar Sunil Activist Pune
96. Rahul Varman Academic Kanpur, UP
97. Sadia Sohail NGO Delhi
98. Muhmina Lawyer Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
99. Nandita Narain Democratic Teachers’ Front, Delhi University Delhi
100. Dr Lubna Sarwath Member, Indian National Congress, Hyderabad Hyderabad
101. Prafulla Samantara Lok Shakti Abhiyan Bhubaneswar, Odisha
102. Aruna Retired Pune Maharashtra
103. Himanshu Thakkar SANDRP Delhi
104. Arunyajyothi Student Telangana
105. Sujata Madhok None Delhi
106. Arunyajyothi Student Telangana
107. Bittu K R WSS Sonipat, Haryana
108. Sharanya Nayak Indigenous Peoples’ Land Life and Knowledge Collective Koraput, Odisha
109. John Dayal Writer Delhi
110. Padmaja Shaw Rtd Professor Hyderabad
111. Abdul Majid Attar Kashmir Conservancy Movement Kashmir
112. Zeeshan Ahmed Business Mumbai
113. Aagnay Self employed Bhimtal, Uttarakhand
114. Devi Activist Hyderabad
115. Prasad Chacko Social Worker Ahmedabad
116. Barnali Mukherjee ACTIVIST Kolkata
117. Roshni Mukherjee Officer in a University West Bengal
118. Jacques Gelineau Fondation rivières Sept-Îles , Canada
119. Mohammad Chappalwala Sambhaavnaa Institute Palampur/ Himachal Pradesh
120. Shruthi Educator Bengaluru
121. maithreyi m r freelance professional editor mumbai
122. Nupur Jain PhD student Maharashtra
123. Basudev Banerjee Social activist West Bengal..
124. Banhi Chakraborty Ex-teacher, IIT, Kharagpur, West Bengal Kolkata, West Bengal
125. Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool J&K RTI Movement Srinagar
126. Hasan Abdullah Research Delhi
127. Kavita Upadhyay Independent journalist and researcher Nainital, Uttarakhand
128. Suryanshu Student Vellore, Tamil Nadu
129. Disha Ravi Fridays For Future India Bangalore, Karnataka
130. Priya Pillai Researcher Thrissur
131. Yashasva Bhatia Student Delhi
132. Sumanta Banerjee Political commentator Hyderabad/Telangana
133. Laxman Gurung Himalayan Alliance for Water and Agriculture HAWA Kathmandu
134. Prabhakaran Poovulagin Nanbargal Chennai, Tamilnadu
135. Aanchal Communication Pune
136. Sandhya gokhale Forum Against Oppression of Women Mumbai
137. Hasina khan , Biraj Mehta, Maivish, Gulshaad Bebaak Collective Maharashtra
138. Meghaa S Consultant Chennai
139. Ashok choudhary Aiufwp Saharanpur, UP
140. Mandakini Lawyer Hyderabad
141. Joseph Maliakan Veteran Journalist Delhi
142. Sundarrajan Environment activist Chennai
143. Dr. Sheetal Kamble TASHI Organization Thane Maharashtra
144. Dr Vikas Bajpai JNU Delhi
145. Shankar Activist Dehradun
146. Soham social media manager Delhi
147. Spalzes Angmo Project coordinator Leh
148. FIROZ SCHOOL TEACHER DELHI
149. Mr Soumya Dutta MAUSAM / Author-Educator-Researcher Delhi
150. Tanisha Negi Self employed Himachal Pradesh
151. Kopal Let India Breathe Ghaziabad
152. AA NA Tamil nadu
153. Daniel Jose Climate Front India Kochi
154. Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement , Coalition of Climate Activists J&K Jammu & Kashmir
155. Raksha Awasya Lawyer Delhi
156. Neelam Ahluwalia Nakra People for Aravallis group Haryana
157. Anjali Activist Maharashtra
158. Geeta sahu Individual Belgaum
159. Yugma Collective Youth Organisation Maharashtra
160. Rajesh Desai Environment Movement Maharashtra
161. Deepthi Sirla NAPM Hyderabad
162. Ashish Kajla Independent Researcher Rajasthan
163. Cedric Prakash Human Rights Reconciliation & Peace Activist/Writer Ahmedabad / Gujarat
164. Bhawna Tanwar There Is No Earth B New Delhi
165. Saksham Bisen Software Engineer Chhattisgarh
166. Piyush Kumar Artist New Delhi
167. Sameer Journalist Kashmir
168. SUMAN TVVM FREELANCER VISAKHAPATNAM/ ANDHRA PRADESH
169. Abhinandan Nath Canara International School Life Skills Coach Karnataka Mangalore
170. Hasina khan Researcher activist Maharashtra
171. Bhim Independent Delhi
172. Vikas Jain Naturalist Pali Rajasthan
173. Dr Doctor Pondicherry
174. Saroj Teacher Gurgaon, Haryana
175. Vikas Singh Azim Premji University Kota Rajasthan
176. Nilima Kallara Salaried Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
177. Smita Hemlata BJA/Freelancer Pune/Maharashtra
178. Kashif jubapu Friday for further Karnataka Karnataka
179. Rupa Chinai Independent journalist Mumbai
180. Sarang V. Yadwadkar Architect Pune, Maharashtra
181. Vertika Mani Lawyer, PUCL Delhi Delhi
182. Kailash Anerao Chartered Accountant Thane
183. Aurobindo MANAVSEVA NCT DELHI
184. Nayana Researcher Bengaluru, Karnataka
185. Moncy M Thomas Library Kerala
186. Sandhya Raju Ccrra Kerala
187. Bhaskar Chakraborty Creative Work Mumbai
188. Vinay Kooragayala Sreenivasa Advocate Karnataka
189. People For Himalaya People For Himalaya India
190. Suchitra Mathur Teacher Kanpur, UP
191. Naveen aolanki other Delhi
192. AFFAN ALIG JOURNALIST New Delhi
193. Dr. Mohd Raffique Socio-political Activist Nuh, Haryana
194. Ekta Climate activist Uttar pradesh
195. Mohan Climate front - Vishakhapatnam Andhra pradesh
196. Apoorv Grover Ophthalmologist/ Doctor New Delhi
197. Kavita Banker Himachal Pradesh
198. Sushma Wildpaw Adventures Mumbai
199. Amrita Shodhan Teacher Ahmedabad
200. Chythenyen Researcher Tamil Nadu
201. Shridevi Kotkar Advocate Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
202. Bharat Bhushan Earth Army Foundation Rohtak
203. Dar naseer Wular Fisherman union organizer Jammu kashmir
204. Lakshmi krishnamurty Social anthropologist (retd) Karnataka
205. Mukesh Teacher Mumbai
206. Anmol Ohri Climate Front - Jammu Jammu, J&K
207. Ruchith Asha Kamal Climate Front Hyderabad Hyderabad / Telangana
208. Raina Roy Samabhabona Kolkata
209. Soumita Student Visakhapatnam
210. Rupa FFF Mumbai
211. Gabriele Dietrich Pennurimai Iyakkam Madurai
212. Ishika Delhi University Delhi
213. Radhika Deonalli Freelancer Mumbai/Maharashtra
214. Manoranjan Mohanty Retired Professor Delhi University Delhi
215. Parimala FITE Chennai, Tamilnadu
216. Tara Mutali Individual Chennai, Tamil Nadu
217. Yash Let India Breathe India
218. Priyansh Right To Food Campaign Delhi
219. Reema Concerned Citizen Mumbai, Maharashtra
220. Nagal Principal Accountant General TN and Kerala Office of CAG of India Chennai
221. Pratap Raval Retired professor Maharashtra
222. Bhanu Tatak Dibang resistance Arunachal Pradesh
223. Aastha Rai Student Gorakhpur/UP
224. Pia Jan Haq Sangharsh Samiti Mumbai
225. Indira Unninayar Advocate - Supreme Court and Delhi High Court Delhi/Gurgaon/NCR
226. N D Pancholi PUCL Ghaziabad, UP
227. Uma Chakravarti Retired teacher. Delhi
228. Mandar Farmer Maharashtra
229. Lalita Ramdas LARA - Ramu Farm Alibag, Maharashtra
230. Atreyi Research Scientist Kolkata
231. Deshmukh Sareem Kalim Electrician Majalgaon
232. Harcharan Singh Chahal Retired Bank officer Barnala
233. george sorger retired university professor ottawa, canada
234. C.Elumalai Rural People`s SangamT Tamilnadu
235. Ebo mili North east human rights Arunachal Pradesh
236. Gabriele Dietrich Pennurimai Iyakkam Madurai
237. amitraj deshmukh NAPM Pune
238. V. Saldanha Feminist Activist Maharashtra
239. Gyanendra nath sinha Retired journalist Ara, Bihar
240. Paramjit kaur President IWC Jammu
241. Neeta Ratwani Film maker Mumbai
242. Askari Zaidi Journalist Delhi
243. Rajesh Darak Whistleblowers India Mumbai
244. Divya Negi Engineer HImachal
245. Asha Puri Teacher NCR
246. Anchit Thukral Filmmaker Delhi
247. Anuradha Bhasin Stanford University Palo Alto
248. Josue ARUNA Congo Basin Conservation Society CBCS network DRC
249. AS Vasantha WSS Delhi
250. Sumaiya Islam BNSK ( A grassroot level women migrant workers Association) Dhaka-based, Bangladesh
251. Dinesh Malshe Retired PUNE / MAHARSHTRA
252. Neeraj Malik Professor Noida U. P.
253. Rajendra Babu Arvini retired from Government service Hyderabad. Telangana
254. Suresh Tamang RRN 556661
255. Abha One Billion Rising international campaign Dharamshala
256. Humaira Mental health professional Mumbai
257. Narendra chugh JALBIRADARI Pune, Maharashtra
258. swati desai napm gujarat
259. There Is No Earth B There Is No Earth B Delhi NCR
260. Kartik Jandial Climate front jammu Jammu
261. Sushil khanna Professor Professor retired
262. prasad suryawnshi engineer maharashtra
263. Aditi Mehta Retired Udaipur Rajasthan