Activists are being branded as Naxals: NGOs

In Gujarat, any individual voicing support for the rights of
tribal people, dalits and farmers is being branded as a Naxalite or Maoist, said
Father Cedric Prakash, human rights activist and director, Prashant, at a
protest meet ‘Vibrant Gujarat and Violation of Human Rights’, in Ahmedabad.

Human rights activists and NGOs organized the meet to oppose the arrests of
trade unionists and social activists in Gujarat and to highlight the state of
the tribals, dalits, minorities and other vulnerable groups of the state.

‘We are activists and not Naxalities. Civil society should come out and
question what is happening in the state,’ said Prakash.

Writer Achyut Yagnik blamed the state government for taking
oppressive measures against people working for the marginalized sections of the
society.

The meet was a collaborative effort of more than 30 grassroots organizations,
federations and trade unions in the state.

CB citizen bureau
Gujarat