Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy organisation dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, on Thursday called on the Indian government to immediately provide urgent medical care to activist-scholar Atiq-ur- Rehman.
Rehman, a prisoner of conscience since his arrest on false charges two years ago in the state of Uttar Pradesh, has become partially paralysed, facing severe impairment in the movement of his right hand and leg and struggling to recognise people.
According to the medical reports accessed by IAMC, Rehman was taken to King Georges’ Medical University in Lucknow, where the doctors referred him to the neurology department for specialised treatment. But, instead, the police sent him back to his prison cell.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Hindu supremacist government arrested Rehman, journalist Siddique Kappan, and two other Muslim activists in October 2020 as they travelled to Mathura city to cover the brutal rape-murder of a Dalit girl.
He has been falsely charged under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) which is widely abused across India against Muslims, human rights defenders, and critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu supremacist federal government.
Since 2020, Rehman has been repeatedly denied judicial relief despite suffering from cardiovascular ailments.
After a lengthy court battle last year, Rehman was allowed to undergo heart surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Ever since, his health has further deteriorated primarily due to the lack of post-surgery medical care in prison.
“Activist Atiq-ur-Rehman’s life is hanging by a thread. He should be given proper medical care as part of life-saving measures and protection of his basic human rights granted by the Indian constitution and international human rights law,” said IAMC President Syed Ali. “If Indian authorities continue to deny urgent medical care to Rahman, he could potentially become the next Stan Swamy.”
Swamy, an 84-year-old human rights defender, was arrested in 2020 under India’s stringent anti-terrorism laws and imprisoned in inhumane conditions, including being denied medical care and a straw to drink from despite having Parkinson’s disease. Swamy died on July 5, 2021, after contracting Covid-19.
“Denying medical care has become an easy way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government and the states ruled by his party to silence dissent and murder dissenters without any accountability,” said IAMC Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed.
The IAMC called on the Supreme Court of India to take suo moto cognizance of Rehman’s case and immediately release him on medical grounds. “We also urge the court that all those jailed with him under politically motivated charges, including journalist Siddique Kappan be released forthwith,” they said.
