Swami Agnivesh

Human Rights Defender

Jharkhand

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on 21^st July, regarding the mob attack on Human Rights Defender Swami Agnivesh. Swami Agnivesh is best known for his work against bonded labour through the “Bonded Labour Liberation Front” which he founded in 1981. He also served as the chairperson of the United Nation Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of 2 Slavery from 1994 to 2004. He testified before the working group on contemporary forms of slavery at the UNHRC, Geneva

On July 17, 2018 Swami Agnivesh arrived at Pakur to attend a program concerning the Paharia tribe under the banner of “Paharia Hill Assembly Mahasabha” at the “Littipara stadium”. While he was departing from his hotel, a group of BJYM activists, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) youth wing, who were waiting outside the hotel began shouting slogans against him. The group got close to Swami Agnivesh, they assaulted him with fist blows and kicks, as a result he fell to the ground, his clothes were torn and his turban was pulled off. As reported in the media, Swami Agnivesh was assaulted because of his statement supporting the freedom of cultural practices and defending consumption of beef. According to the news agency ANI, Swami Agnivesh stated, “There was no police personnel present there. Even when I repeatedly called Superintendent of Police (SP) and District Magistrate (DM) they didn’t turn up. I was told that ABVP & BJYM workers want to protest. I told them there’s no need to protest, they can come in and talk. No one came in at that time”.

HRDA prayed for thorough investigation and to take immediate actions on the perpetrators of the case.