Atikur Rahman (born 1994) is a member of the Popular Front of India[1] and a human rights defender who has been involved in activism in India. He was arrested on 5 October 2020, along with journalist Siddique Kappan, student Masood Ahmad, and taxi driver Mohammad Alam while they were on their way to meet the family of a Dalit woman who was raped and murdered in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.[2][3][4]
Atikur Rahman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1994 |
| Education | Ph.D. |
| Alma mater | Chaudhary Charan Singh University |
| Occupation | Activist |
Arrest and charges
editAtikur along with three others was arrested in October 2020 whilst en path to Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, following the alleged gang rape and murder of a 19-year-antique Dalit girl. Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force officially charged them with multiple offenses, including sedition, criminal conspiracy, terror funding, and promoting enmity among one-of-a-kind companies based on various factors like faith and place of house and claimed that they were purportedly journeying to Hathras with the purpose to disturb peace as part of a conspiracy. They were also charged with sections 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act associated with elevating funds for terror acts and numerous sections of the IT Act.[5]
In March 2023, He was granted bail in a case filed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. However, his release from detention was delayed due to the absence of bail in the Prevention of Money Laundering Activities case lodged against him. Subsequently, in May of the same year, a court in Uttar Pradesh granted him bail in connection with a case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.[6]
Health deterioration
editRahman's health deteriorated while in detention; he developed a neurological disease in addition to an existing heart ailment, leading to paralysis on the left side of his body and memory loss. Despite his condition, there were reports of delays and denials of medical treatment. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have called for his immediate release, stating that his detention was arbitrary and solely for peacefully exercising his human rights.[7][8][9][10]
After spending 32 months in jail, Atikur Rahman was finally released. He was a Ph.D. student at Meerut's Chaudhary Charan Singh University and also the national office bearer of Campus Front of India, a student movement. He was active during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests and has been vocal about issues affecting marginalized communities in India.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ "High Court grants bail to PFI member: 'No reason to justify continued detention'". The Indian Express. 18 March 2023.
- ^ "'Punished for Being Muslim,' Says Atiqur Rahman, Arrested Along With Kappan, After 960 Days in Jail". The Wire. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "When the commitment to social change is a provocation for an increasingly repressive State: A profile of Atikur Rahman – The Polis Project". Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Khan, Rushda Fathima (2021-10-15). "After AIIMS Advices Heart Surgery For Atikur Rahman, Mathura Jail Authorities Submit Report In Court". The Cognate. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Hathras gang rape case: UP Police files charge-sheet against eight including a Kerala journalist for sedition, other offences". Zee News.
- ^ "Granted bail in ED case, activist Atikur Rahman to walk out of jail". Mid-day. 25 May 2023.
- ^ "India: Immediately release activist Atikur Rahman". Amnesty International. 2022-09-07. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ JAIN, NIKITA (2022-09-07). "Atikur Rahman's Health Deteriorating, says Family". www.thecitizen.in. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Indian Americans Decry Denial of Life-Saving Medical Care to Activist-Scholar Atikur Rahman". BeyondHeadlines. 2022-09-07. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ MuslimMirror (2021-08-27). "Hathras detainee Atikur Rahman in threat of custodial murder, say spouse, CFI activists". Muslim Mirror. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Aafaq, Zafar (2023-06-23). "'We were punished for being Muslim': Atikur Rahman, arrested with Siddique Kappan, is finally free". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Kumar, Akanksha (2020-08-22). "Revealed: How UP police 'terrorised' Muslim activists ahead of Ram temple ceremony". Newslaundry. Retrieved 2024-05-10.