Justice For All statement on Harsh Mander raids

Sept. 16, 2021

Justice For All, condemns in the strongest terms, the raid on Harsh Mander’s office, home and children shelters. Harsh Mander is an eminent human rights activist, and the founder of Karwan-e-Mohabbat, a campaign of solidarity with victims of communal and religious violence. The raid was conducted by the Indian Enforcement Directorate. Mr. Mander has been critical of the Modi government, and of the BJP’s continual use of religious other-ing for political gain. Although he has been targeted by the Indian government previously, none of the charges brought against him have been proven. This new raid comes just after Mr. Mander and his wife left for Germany on a prestigious fellowship program.

In addition to his offices and home, a Children’s home founded by Mr. Mander was also raided. Previously the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights had refuted many of the incriminating claims made by government aligned bodies against the Children’s home.

Zahir Adil, lead of Justice For All’s Save India From Fascism project said, “This is a manifestation of the tactics used by the Modi government to stifle dissent by intimidating those who expose human rights violations. The Indian Judiciary has to keep Indian interests at heart, and not political or personal gains, and must direct the Indian authorities to release all his holdings immediately”.

Justice For All stands with Harsh Mander and his team against these reprehensible attacks. We are confident that, as previously, these new charges will not stand up to scrutiny in a fair court of law.

The US Department of State must take these attacks against internationally known activists seriously. USCIRF’s recommendation to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is being continually proven correct by the actions of the Indian government and its RSS/BJP inspired supporters. We call on the State Department to accept the recommendation and designate India as a CPC for 2020.

The Save India From Fascism team

Justice For All

Read Justice For All report: Why India Deserves A CPC Designation