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JAMMU DEC 07:-A joint press conference was held today in Jammu, where representatives from various socio-political organizations, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), along with activists and community leaders, gathered to condemn the FIR lodged against socio-political activist Advocate Safeer Choudhary, religious clerics Mudaser Jalali and Dr. Rajinder Prasad Thappa. The FIR was filed under Sections 126(2) and 191(2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly organizing a peaceful protest on November 30, 2024, in response to the tragic killings in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
The press conference was initiated by Sunny Kant Chib, Chairman of the Human Rights Council of India, Jammu and Kashmir, who spoke passionately about the importance of protecting fundamental rights and defending democracy. He strongly condemned the FIR as an attempt to suppress voices calling for justice and communal harmony.
Following him, Altaf Hussain Shah, Vice President of AAP Jammu Province, emphasized the need for safeguarding citizens’ constitutional rights, including the Right to Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Peaceful Assembly. He expressed his deep concern over the selective targeting of activists and religious leaders involved in the peaceful protest and highlighted the chilling effect such actions could have on democratic participation in the region.
Hamidullah Bhat, District President of AAP Anantnag, spoke out against the attempts to stifle dissent through unjust legal actions, stressing that the protest had been peaceful and aimed at promoting justice and unity among communities. He warned that actions like these undermine the democratic values that the nation is built upon.
Hafiz Mohd Sabir, Imam of Jamia Masjid Qamar Colony Sunjwan Jammu, also addressed the conference, reinforcing the call for unity among all religious and social communities in the region. He emphasized that the protest was not only a response to the violence in Sambhal but also a demonstration of solidarity in the face of growing attempts to divide and intimidate peaceful citizens.
Gulzar Hussain, AAP Youth Sangathan Mantri Jammu Province, passionately urged the authorities to stop targeting individuals based on their activism and religious background. He emphasized the importance of protecting the right to protest peacefully, which is enshrined in the Constitution, and warned that any attempt to curtail this right would have long-term negative consequences for the country’s democratic values.
In addition, Dr. Sameer Choudhary, NYF State President, and Asif Gill, socio-political activist, also addressed the gathering, both condemning the police’s actions as a violation of democratic norms. Dr. Choudhary called for a transparent and impartial investigation, while Asif Gill expressed concerns about the growing climate of fear and repression, which threatens the right of citizens to voice their grievances.
Leaders from various religious and socio-political backgrounds joined forces to demand the immediate quashing of the FIRs against the activists and religious leaders, and an impartial investigation free from communal bias. They reiterated that the protest was peaceful and aimed at seeking justice and promoting communal harmony in light of the tragic events in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
The conference concluded with a united call to defend constitutional rights and to ensure justice for the activists. The leaders urged the authorities to act fairly and impartially, warning that suppressing peaceful dissent would set a dangerous precedent, erode public trust in democratic institutions, and deepen societal divisions. The collective stance was clear: a united front in defense of democracy, justice, and the fundamental rights of every citizen.
