*CASR Strongly Condemns the Abduction of Student and Labour Rights Activist Priyanshu Kashyap*
Priyanshu Kashyap, a former student of the Department of History at Delhi University, was picked up by the Haryana Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) around July 26-27, 2025, from Hisar district. It has now been over three days, and there is still no information about his whereabouts. His family has also not been informed by the police.This action is in direct violation of Article 22 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to consult a lawyer and be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest/detention. It also violates sections 48, 54, and 58 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and disregards the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in DK Basu v. State of WB (1997). Furthermore, it contravenes various sections of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Articles 3 and 9 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), to which India is a signatory.
As a student at Delhi University, Priyanshu was involved in student activism, fighting against fee hikes, paper leaks, and advocating for a democratic and equitable campus. He also raised concerns for the oppressed and exploited masses of the country. After completing his master's in history, he worked with the Delhi General Mazdoor Front (DGMF), a labor rights organization based in New Delhi.
In December last year, his rented room was raided by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Lucknow Conspiracy Case. This is another tactic by the Indian state to harass activists and silence dissenting voices. The Lucknow Conspiracy case, ongoing since September 2023, targets students, advocates, journalists, labor rights activists, and others, attempting to create another Bhima Koregaon case. Such baseless cases are an assault on democratic freedoms and hold no water.After the introduction of the Surajkund Scheme in 2022, attacks on dissenting voices have increased, with the state using agencies like the NIA and draconian laws like the UAPA and NSA to crack down on anyone speaking against exploitation and oppression.
Priyanshu, an activist from an Adivasi background belonging to the Bastar region, has always stood for the rights of students, workers, and oppressed sections of society. It is noteworthy that Priyanshu Kashyap's abduction comes amid a series of illegal abductions, enforced disappearances, and brutal custodial torture of students and activists from Delhi and Haryana by the Delhi Police Special Cell. His fellow friends and activists are being targeted by the Delhi Police Special Cell, and we apprehend that Priyanshu Kashyap may also be targeted by them.
Therefore, we demand that Priyanshu be produced before the court immediately if he has been arrested, or else be released. We call upon all sections of society, civil liberties organizations, trade unions, student movements, lawyers, journalists, artists, and ordinary citizens to raise their voices and stand united against this assault on democratic freedoms
*Campaign Against State Repression Organising*
*CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION
Organising Team*
(AIRSO, AISA, AISF, APCR, ASA, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, COLLECTIVE, CRPP, CSM, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, Nazariya Magazine , Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Smajwadi lok manch, Bahujan Samjavadi Mnach, SFI, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)
0 टिप्पणियाँ