Yogendra Yadav & others

Social Activists

Madhya Pradesh

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on June 15 regarding the arrest of a group of social activists who were on their way to meet the aggrieved family members of the farmers who died while peacefully protesting in Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh. HRDA had complained to NHRC regarding the excessive use of force by police on peaceful farmers’ protests, leading to the killing of six protesters. Mr. Yogendra Yadav is a political scientist, Ms. Medha Patkar and Swami Agnivesh are social activists.

On June 11, 2017, around 30 social activists were on their way to Mandsaur to meet the aggrieved families of farmers who were killed in police firing. The activists were stopped by the police at the Dhodhar toll plaza in Ratlam district's Jaora town. On being stopped from entering Mandsaur, the activists team sat on a protest on the Mhow-Neemuch Highway.

Police denied their entry as Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was imposed in Mandsaur district. Mr. Yogendra Yadav, along with others, tried to convince the police and assured the administration that no law and order will be violated by them. Swami Agnivesh tried to make the administration understand that they came here for building an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood, not to breach the peace; but the police did not allow them to meet the families of the deceased farmers. It is alleged that the police of Ratlam did not allow the group to enter Mandsaur and detained them in the circuit house for about 30 minutes. Later, they were arrested under Section 151 of CrPC.