Sir — The arrest of the 22-year-old climate activist, Disha Ravi, and the issuing of non-bailable warrants against two others in a case involving a Google ‘toolkit’ document shared by the climate campaigner, Greta Thunberg — it is alleged that Ravi is one of the editors of the toolkit — in support of the farmers’ protest is a matter of serious concern (“The hunt”, Feb 16). Ravi was picked up in a hush-hush manner from her home in Bangalore by the Delhi police and supposedly taken to the capital in violation of well laid out norms for arrests and federal principles. She has been booked on multiple charges including sedition and criminal conspiracy. The young activist is also being accused of collaborating with a pro-Khalistan outfit and conspiring to spread disaffection against the Indian State.

The young woman’s arrest is yet another example of the government moving against anyone who opposes its policies. Several arbitrary arrests, as we can see in this case, have been made on unconvincing charges for which the police have scant evidence. Bail, which is supposed to be the norm, is frequently denied. This is usually followed up by a vilification campaign in the media where people opposing government policies are presented as threats to the integrity of the nation and labelled “anti-national”.

The message to all citizens is brazen and clear; there is no democratic space for people to oppose the government and its actions. Freedom of speech no longer exists in New India.

Shovanlal Chakraborty,
Calcutta

Sir — The arrest of the young climate crusader, Disha Ravi, on multiple charges alleging her involvement in the farmers’ agitation against the three contentious farm bills and the creation of a campaign toolkit shared by the Swedish environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, amounts to the muzzling of democratic voices. The reaction is scarily disproportionate. Globally, toolkits are used by activist groups to provide basic information about their cause and offer suggestions on social media tags and on-site protests. The government has decided to politically invest in a narrative of a foreign conspiracy against India, of which the “toolkit” is supposedly evidence. Where is the actual evidence to suggest such a conspiracy?

At a time when India is facing criticism for growing illiberalism, is arresting young activists an ethical or prudent course of action? How does it sync with India’s constitutional guarantees on freedom of speech and political activity? The government should stop seeing activists as seditionists.

N. Sadhasiva Reddy,
Bangalore

Sir — The arrest of Disha Ravi, a graduate of Mount Carmel college and one of the founders of Fridays for Future India, has come as a shock to many. Several lawyers are of the opinion that the arrest violated her legal and constitutional rights at every stage, terming it “ab-initio-illegal”, that is, illegal from the beginning. Ravi was not produced in a court in Bangalore where she was arrested, there was no transit remand and she was not provided legal counsel of her choice in Delhi, where she was remanded in police custody. The government would do well to remember that the Indian Penal Code does not mention the word “toolkit” anywhere. Moreover, creating or possessing any document with instructions and guidance for running a social media campaign is not a crime. Neither is criticizing the policies of the Indian government to a foreign audience. It is astonishing to see the Delhi police arrest Ravi on charges of sedition. The alleged lapses need to be looked into and remedied. The rule of law must be followed sincerely. The courts are expected to exercise checks on the misuse of powers by the executive.

Yash Pal Ralhan,
Jalandhar

Sir — The questionable arrest and transportation of Disha Ravi to Delhi without following the due process of law is disconcerting. It was a relief to learn that the Delhi Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter. The commission has asked the Delhi police to provide a copy of the first information report, reasons for allegedly not producing her before a local court for transit as well as for not providing the accused with a lawyer of her choice when she was produced before the Patiala House court. The authorities must clarify the reasons for these missteps at the earliest.

Ananya Subramanian,
Bangalore

Steady decline

Sir — The political situation in Myanmar is taking a turn for the worse. The trial of the former state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the deposed president, U Win Myint, began in secret with the defence attorney alleging that he was not made aware of the proceedings which ended in less than an hour. The democratically elected government of the National League for Democracy was ousted in a military coup earlier this month. Suu Kyi, along with several others, face charges that could land them in prison for a significant period of time. It is unlikely that any of the NLD leaders will get a fair trial.

Rupa Sen,
Calcutta