Indo-Kuwait Friendship Society, a non-resident Indian association in Kuwait has sent a letter of appreciation to the Chief Justice of Indian Supreme Court for staying the arrest warrant of Teesta Setalvad, an Indian civil rights activist and journalist and the secretary of CJP (Citizens for Justice and Peace) an organization who formed for fighting for justice for the victims of communal violence in the state of Gujarat in 2002. Teesta has for years taken on the Gujarat government while fighting for riot victims. “The value of freedom cannot even be compared to the stars in the sky,” the court said as it questioned the need to arrest her”.
The letter pointed out that “We, members of Indo-Kuwait Friendship Society were shocked and outraged by the continuing attempt of the highly vindictive Gujarat police to somehow implicate activists Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand, along with three victim-survivors of the Gujarat carnage in 2002 on patently trumped-up charges. IKFS understands that the since Supreme Court appointed amicus curiae in the riot case, Raju Ramachandran, has told the apex court there was enough prima facie evidence to prosecute the culprits. Therefore, the latest malicious move to arrest her is a clear indicator that revenge is the shape of things to come and “Revenge” is the only motive of the vindictive” by the culprits.
Attorney and Lawyer Sayid Nizar, IKFS Vice President said that Teesta and Javed Anand are being especially targeted as they are among the founder members of Citizens For Justice and Peace (CJP) and have been at the forefront of the struggle for justice for the victims-survivors of the Gujarat pogrom. CJP is today nationally and internationally recognized and respected for the sustained efforts of its team of lawyers. Therefore, Supreme Court should consider to acquit the case itself for good faith and re-align the dignity of the members of CJP.
IKFS President Dr. Ghalib Al-Mashoor, who was earlier the Secretary General of “Federation of Indian Muslim Associations” (FIMA) said that Teesta Setalvad has received an “Excellent Award” from FIMA in December 2009 for her excellent contributions towards “Social Justice and Journalism”.
IKFS also sent letter to Amnesty International India, to support Teesta and asked for their deep involvement in protecting human right activists and demanded to help for immediate withdrawal of the motivated and baseless FIR against Teesta Setalvad, Javed Anand, Tanvir Jafri and the office-bearers of the Gulberg Society.
(File Photo: L to R) Dr. Ghalib Al-Mashoor, Former Secretary General of FIMA hands over the “Excellent Award” for Social Justice when she was invited to Kuwait by FIMA in Dec. 2009.