Ghosh said it was unfortunate that the people like Dr Khan, who had been serving the people going beyond his capacity, had lost his precious time behind bars which could have been used to serve the sick in the country.
Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The Allahabad High Court’s order to release Uttar Pradesh doctor Kafeel Khan from detention has been hailed as ‘victory of democracy’ and ‘victory of the power of the people’ by organisations of students, doctors, etc. as well as opposition leaders across the country.
Welcoming the development, Sourav Ghosh, General Secretary of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), said, “Finally, people’s voice played its role. It’s a victory to the power of the people who from the very beginning demanded his release.”
Dr Khan, a paediatrician, was released from a jail in Mathura late on Tuesday following the revocation of the charges under the National Security Act (NSA) against him by the court. The court held his detention illegal and said a speech by him against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the Aligarh Muslim University in December last year did not promote hatred or violence.
Ghosh said in a prèss statement that AIDSO, along with other well-meaning people of the country had been telling that the NSA which slapped against the humanist doctor allegedly for delivering hate speeches had no evidence, adding that it clearly indicated that Dr Khan had been put into jail under fabricated cases which was a well-planned move of the BJP-led NDA government.
“The order of the Allahabad HC has proved the facts right that AIDSO has been firmly stating about Dr Kafeel Khan,” he asserted. “No more argument is needed to substantiate the fact that the present ruling BJP at the Centre is hell-bent on curbing any view which opposes it and can go to any extent for its devilish agenda.”
Ghosh said it was unfortunate that the people like Dr. Khan, who had been serving the people going beyond his capacity, had lost his precious time behind bars which could have been used to serve the sick in the country.
Gujarat AIDSO chief Bhavik Raja told Clarion India his organisation and all the democratic-minded people had been building up a movement for his release and the release order was the victory of a democratic movement
Gujarat AIDSO secretary Rimmi Vaghela congratulated Dr. Khan for his brave struggle against all odds and also congratulated his wife, family members and all the democratic-minded people whose consistent support and movement made his release possible.
Surat-based social activist Sanjay Ezhava said Dr Khan’s release was the victory of democracy, and added that the corrupt government officials were doing a favourable job for the BJP only. “Citizens must react against this kind of political cruelty to save all Indians in future,” he said.
Opposition leaders and the resident doctors’ association at the Aligarh Muslim University on Wednesday also welcomed the release of Dr Khan.
Hamza Malik, president of the resident doctors’ association at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, said Khan’s release was a “victory of justice”. Malik said the Gorakhpur doctor had always stood for humanitarian values, maintained high standards in his profession and never took part in divisive activities. “Instead of incarcerating Khan, the government should have availed his services at a time when health amenities in the state badly needed cooperation from the medical fraternity,” Malik added.
Former Aligarh Muslim University students’ union chief Faizul Hasan also welcomed Khan’s release. “Kafeel Khan had exercised his democratic right to protest, but had never resorted to undemocratic means, and always championed the spirit of unity and communal harmony,” Hasan said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed happiness over Khan’s release and hoped party leader Azam Khan was also released soon, adding that the injustice and atrocities of those in power did not last long. Azam Khan is in jail in connection with various cases, including that of land grabbing filed against him in Rampur.
All India Students’ Association National president N Sai Balaji said people’s unity brought justice to Dr Khan. “Freedom for Dr Kafeel,” he tweeted. “People’s unity won and brought justice to people’s doctor! Revolutionary salutes to Dr Kafeel Khan! Dr Kafeel Khan was finally released from ‘illegal’ detention. The Allahabad High Court said: His speech calls for national unity and integrity.”
Uttar Pradesh Congress also took to Twitter and said that “justice has won” with Dr Khan’s release.
Minority Coordination Committee convener Mujahid Nafis said that the High Court order was the victory of truth, and added that use of NSA to curb dissent was a threat to democracy.
(With agency inputs)