New Delhi: The ‘politically motivated’ arrests of Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha are not just a message to the Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and other minorities in India but also to those in other parts of the subcontinent who have looked to the example of India’s secular and democratic innovations for inspiration, says a statement issued by more than 200 Nepali citizens.“On behalf of the Nepali public, we strongly condemn these unjust arrests, especially in the context when even repressive regimes in other parts of the world are releasing political prisoners in the face of the COVID-19 crisis,” the statement says.The Nepali citizens have said the allegations against Teltumbde and Navlakha in the Bhima Koregaon case are “absurd”. They note that nine human rights activists (Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Shoma Sen, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Arun Ferreira, Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, and Vernon Gonsalves) have “already been incarcerated for almost two years now in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case, with no sign of a trial commencing”. They also criticised charges being booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, saying it “makes a mockery of the jurisprudence granting bail as a right”.The statement described Teltumbde as “a friend to the Dalit movement in Nepal”. “He cared about the constitutional reforms in Nepal and wanted to see that the flaws visible to him in the Indian Constitution were not repeated in Nepal,” it says.The full statement and the list of signatories has been reproduced below.§Nepali Citizens against the Arrest of Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam NavlakhaDeploying the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Indian authorities decisively moved to detain eminent Indian scholar Dr. Anand Teltumbde and human rights activist Gautam Navlakha on April 14, 2020. Dr. Teltumbde, friend to the Dalit movement in Nepal, has written extensively about the caste system and has tirelessly advocated for the rights of Dalits. He cared about the constitutional reforms in Nepal and wanted to see that the flaws visible to him in the Indian Constitution were not repeated in Nepal.These politically motivated arrests, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, appears to us as a message not only to Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and other minorities in India but also to those in other parts of the subcontinent who have looked to the example of India’s secular and democratic innovations for inspiration. On behalf of the Nepali public, we strongly condemn these unjust arrests, especially in the context when even repressive regimes in other parts of the world are releasing political prisoners in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.The Indian authorities have laid absurd allegations against Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha of seeking to overthrow the Indian government. This bizarre persecution by the Indian police started after the retaliatory violence by anti-Dalit vigilantes following Dalit protests and recognition of Bhima Koregoan in January 2018. Nine human rights activists (Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Shoma Sen, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Arun Ferreira, Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, and Vernon Gonsalves) have already been incarcerated for almost two years now in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case, with no sign of a trial commencing. All of them have been booked under the UAPA making bail impossible. This makes a mockery of the jurisprudence granting bail as a right.In carrying out the arrests of Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha (both senior individuals), the Indian government demonstrates a galling neglect of the risks to their health. The death of either individual under Indian custody, a real possibility during the COVID-19 crisis, would be a stain on the conscience of the world.It is outrageous that the Indian government, instead of defending human rights and securing the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, is cracking down on the very people who fight for justice in India. More disturbingly, public comments by political actors have indicated that Dr. Teltumbde was singled out precisely because of his Dalit identity and activism. These measures by the Indian government are effectively an attempt to create a culture of state terror in the region. This is a violation of democratic principles as well as a dismissal of Dalit dissent.We staunchly denounce the rise of these tactics in South Asian nations and beyond, and we call upon the Indian government to live up to the spirit of the Constitution and cease these assaults on civil liberties.We, the undersigned, call upon Dalit, Adivasi/Janajati, OBC, and other minority leaders throughout the world to seek the preservation of justice and equity.We stand in solidarity with those who fight for justice and those who safeguard Dalit rights. Signed by:Aahuti Aahuti, Public Intellectual, KathmanduAarti Basnyat, London, UKAbhilash Acharya, Educator, KathmanduAgya Poudyal, Oxford, UKAlina Saba, Researcher & Activist, LalitpurAmar Bk, Writer and Researcher, KathmanduAmina Singh, Adjunct Faculty, Kathmandu University, KathmanduAmish Raj Mulmi, Writer/Editor, KathmanduAmita Sharma, Lawyer, KathmanduAmuda Mishra, Gender Expert, KathmanduAnish Shrestha, Youth Social Activist, KathmanduAnup Baral, Actor, Director and Conceptual Artist, Actors’ Studio, KathmanduAnushila Bhattarai, Activist, KathmanduArchana Thapa, Writer, Akshar Creations Nepal, KathmanduAryan Rajak, Actor & Social Activist, KathmanduAshmina Ranjit, Artivist, LASANAA, KathmanduAtul Bhattarai, Writer, KathmanduBabita Rai, Activist and Writer, DharanBalram Prasad Raut, Assistant Professor, Tribhuvan University, KathmanduBandana Dhakal, Writer,Bandana Sharma, Development ConsultantBandana Sinha, Activist, KathmanduBasanta Ranjitkar, Activist, LASANAA, KathmanduBasudha Gurung, Advisor, FIAN Nepal, KathmanduBhogiraj Chamling, Writer and Researcher, KhotangBhola Paswan, Writer and Researcher, SaptariBikash Basnet, Writer, KathmanduBikash Shrestha, Journalist, KathmanduBikkil Sthapit, Activist, KathmanduBimal Khadka, Principal, K&K College, KathmanduBinda Pandey, Trade Union/Political activist, KathmanduBinod Bikram Kc, Poet, KathmanduBrabim Kumar, Activist, KathmanduBunu Dhungana, Nepal Picture Library, KathmanduChandreshwor Das, Activist, DhanushaChandreshwor Sada, Activist, DhanushaCharan Prasain, Human Rights Activist, KathmanduDeepak Adhikari, Journalist, KathmanduDeepak Paudel, Educator, KathmanduDeepak Thapa, Researcher, KathmanduDewan Rai, Writer, KathmanduDhana Kumari Sunar, Poet and Activist, KathmanduDikshya Khadka, Community Leader, KathmanduDil Karki, MD Nepal Memorable Tours, KathmanduDinesh Kafle, Writer, KathmanduDipendra Paswan, SaptariDishebh Raj Shrestha, Graphic Designer, Square Studio, KathmanduDiwas Raja Kc, Nepal Picture Library, KathmanduDovan Rai, Writer and Researcher, KathmanduGopal Krishna Shiwakoti, President, INHURED International, KathmanduRenu Adhikari, Founding Chairperson, WOREC, KathmanduSachin Ghemere, Medical Anthropologist, KathmanduSaroj Dhital, General Surgeon, KathmanduVishnu Singh Rai, Writer, KathmanduDwarika Thebe, Writer & Researcher, IlamEkal Silwal, Journalist, KathmanduGanesh Bk, Chairperson, RDN Nepal,Geeta Sharma, Protection Expert, KathmanduGurung Sushanta, Writer, BhaktapurHarinandan Ambedkar, Activist, SarlahiHeema Rai, Agricultural Engineer, KhotangHemanta Kumar Khatiwada, Sydney, AustraliaIndira Ghale, Human Rights Activist and Social Worker, KathmanduIshwari Bhattarai, Researcher, LalitpurIshwor Shrestha, Buddhist Academician, KathmanduItisha Giri, Writer and Podcaster, MadridJ. B. Biswokarma, Chairperson, Dignity Initiative, KathmanduJanak Rai, Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, KathmanduJanardan Thapa, West Bengal, IndiaJay Poudyal, Photographer, Stories of Nepal, KathmanduJB Pun Magar, Journalist, KathmanduKabin Maleku, Pharmacist, KathmanduKabita Bahing Rai, KathmanduKabita Parajuli, Attorney, Portland, OregonKalyan Pokhrel, Executive Member, Supreme Court Bar Association, NepalKamal Pathak, KathmanduKaran Shrestha, Artist & Filmmaker, KathmanduKarma Tshering Gurung, Photographer, KathmanduKashiram Dhungana, Human Rights Lawyer, KathmanduKhem Shreesh, Researcher, KathmanduKhyamu “Gaunle” Biswokarma, Dalit Activist and Researcher, KathmanduKishor Sharma, Photographer, KathmanduKripa Dongol, Geographer, University of Colorado, BoulderKrishna Gopal Ranjit, Artist, KathmanduKrishna Maharjan, Communication Engineer/Disability Rights Activist, LalitpurKumudini Gurung, Shikshya Foundation Nepal, KathmanduKumud Rana, Researcher, UK/NepalLeah Everest, NewzealandLhamo Yangchen Sherpa, Sr. Advisor Research & M&E, KathmanduLuna Ranjit, Writer, KathmanduLuv Yadav, Educator, KathmanduMadhusudhan Subedi, Professor, Tribhuvan University, KathmanduMallika Aryal, Journalist, Oslo, NorwayMandira Sharma, Human Rights Advocate and Researcher, UK/NepalMani Sharma, Publisher, Sangrila Books, KathmanduManjushree Thapa, Author, TorontoManoj Paswan, Human Rights Activist, SarlahiManushi Yami Bhattarai, Samajwadi Party, KathmanduMatina Maharjan, Architect, KathmanduMausham Shakya, Psychological Well-Being Coach, KathmanduMilan Kumar Singh Tharu, Educator, KathmanduMohan Kumar Karn, Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance, KathmanduMukesh Jha, Madhesi Youth Leader, KathmanduMuna Gurung, Writer, KathmanduNasala Chitrakar, Poet and Educator, KathmanduNayan P. Sindhuliya, Researcher, KathmanduNayanTara Gurung Kakshapati, Photo Circle, KathmanduNirajan Thapaliya, Rights Activist, KathmanduNiraj lawoju, Writer and Activist, BhaktapurNiranjan Kunwar, Writer and Educational Consultant, KathmanduNirvaya Subedi, Writer, KathmanduNischal Neupane, Researcher, Amherst, USANyima Dorjee, Researcher, KathmanduPemba Sherpa, Aviation, SolukhumbuPhurwa D. Gurung, Geographer, University of Colorado Boulder, USAPooja Pant, VOW Media, KathmanduPrabindra Shakya, Community Empowerment and Social Justice Network, NepalPradip Pariyar, Samata Foundation, LalitpurPradipta Kadambari, Principal, Kadambari Memorial College, KathmanduPrakash Aryal, Lawyer, KathmanduPrakash Mahara, Human Rights Activist, KathmanduPranab Man Singh, Quixote’s Cove, KathmanduPranaya Rana, The Kathmandu Post, KathmanduPranika Koyu, Poet, KathmanduPrasiit Sthapit, Photographer, Fuzz Factory Productions, KathmanduPratima Thakali, Artist, KathmanduPraveen Kumar Yadav, Activist and Researcher, KathmanduPrawin Adhikari, Writer, LalitpurPriyanka Bista, KTK-BELT, KathmanduRabindra Baniya, Actor, KathmanduRabin Sayami, Cartoonist, KathmanduRagendra Nath Shrestha, KathmanduRahul Rajak, Law Student, RautahatRajendra Maharjan, Writer, KathmanduRajkumar Paswan, SaptariRaj Rajak, Ambedkarite and Bahujan activist, KathmanduRaju Prasad Chapagai, Constitutional/Human Rights Lawyer, KathmanduRaju Sarkar, Human Right Activist, KathmanduRaju Syangtan, Poet, KathmanduRaju Yonjan, Art Entrepreneur, KathmanduRakesh Dongol, System Engineer, KathmanduRakesh Kayastha, Filmmaker, KathmanduRakesh Mishra, Social Activist, BiratnagarRaksha Ram Harijan, Advocate, KathmanduRamesh Singh, International Development Consultant, BangkokRam Gurung, Writer and Researcher, KathmanduRam Kumar Bhandari, Social Justice Activist, KathmanduRam Shrestha, Researcher, Global Institute for Policy Studies, KathmanduRiban Mangrati, Dalit Readers, KathmanduRita Baramu, Body & Data, KathmanduRochak Dahal, LalitpurRojita Adhikari, Writer, KathmanduRukamanee Maharjan, Assistant Professor, Nepal Law CampusRukh Gurung, Researcher, KathmanduRukshana Kapali, Queer Rights Activist, KathmanduRupak Shrestha, Geographer, Boulder, ColoradoRup Sunar, Dignity Initiative, KathmanduRushil Shakya, Technologist, NYC/KathmanduSabin Ninglekhu, Researcher, Nanyang Technological UniversitySabitri Gautam, Writer, PokharaSagar Chhetri, Photographer, photo.circle, KathmanduSagarika Bhatta, Powershift Nepal, KathmanduSagar Manandhar, Artist, KathmanduSamip Dhungel, Poet, KathmanduSampreety Gurung, Cornell University, USASamrat Katwal, Development Worker, KathmanduSandesh Ghimire, Student, University of Minnesota, USASangeet Srota, Writer, KathmanduSangita Thebe Limbu, Researcher/Graduate Student, Oxford, UKSanjay Sharma, PhD Scholar, SingaporeSanjay Yadav, Youth Leader, Human Rights Activist, RautahatSanjeev Maharjan, Visual Artist/Art Educator, KathmanduSanjeev Uprety, Writer, KathmanduSanjog Thakuri, Feminist Activist, KathmanduSantosh Pariyar, Educator, KathmanduSarita Pariyar, Darnal Award for Social Justice, KathmanduSarita Tiwari, Writer, ChitawanShailendra Ambedkar, Human Rights Lawyer, BhairahawaSharareh Bajracharya, Art Educator, Srijanalaya, KathmanduShikhar Bhattarai, Photographer, photo.circle, KathmanduShiva Hari Gyawali, Writer, KathmanduShova Ranjit, Housewife, KathmanduShradha Ghale, Writer, KathmanduShrochis Karki, Researcher, Oxford UKShubha Kayastha, Body & Data, BhaktapurSirjana Pant, Public Health Worker, KathmanduSlesh Shrestha, Professor of Economics, SingaporeSmriti Rai, Development Professional, DharanSohan Prasad Sha, Researcher, KathmanduSona Katik, KapilvastuSophia Pande, KathmanduSubima Shrestha, KathmanduSubina Shrestha, Journalist, FilmmakerSudhir Shah, International Marketing Manager, KathmanduSujan Chitrakar, Artist, KathmanduSumitra Bogati, Spoken Word Poet, KathmanduSumitra Manandhar Gurung, Mahila Sahayatra, ChitlangSunil Kumar Sarbariya, Dalit Activist, SapatariSunil Shakya, Indigenous Art Promoter, KathmanduSupriya Manandhar, Artist, LalitpurSuresh Kiran, Poet, KathmanduSuresh Thapa, Software Engineer, LalitpurSushan Acharya, Tribhuvan University, KathmanduSushma Joshi, Writer and Filmmaker, KathmanduSuvani Singh, Quixote’s Cove, KathmanduTashi Tsering Tewa, Washington University in Saint Louis, USATripty Tamang Pakhrin, photo.circle, KathmanduTsering D Gurung, Writer/Journalist, KathmanduTula Narayan Shah, Activist, Nepal Madhesh Foundation, KathmanduUjjwala Maharjan, Poet, Educator, Word Warriors, KathmanduUjjwal Prasai, Writer Activist, KathmanduWeena Pun, Cornell University, USAYug Pathak, Writer, KathmanduYuqtilal Marik, Chair, Dalit Sarokar Manch Nepal, KathmanduYutsha Dahal, Nepal Picture Library, Kathmandu