Support democratic and peaceful movements for safeguarding ecology in J&K and the entire Himalayan region
13th Nov, 2024: More than 250 activists from different parts of India and diverse organizations signed on to a statement initiated by the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), strongly condemning the arbitrary detention of 6 social and environmental activists in Jammu & Kashmir, under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The signatories called for their immediate release and withdrawal of cases filed against them, for exercising their legitimate right to raise ecological concerns. All those detained Mohammad Abdullah Gujjar (resident of Sigdi Bhata), Noor Din (resident of Kakerwagan), Ghulam Nabi Choppan (resident of Trungi – Dachhan), Mohammad Jaffer Sheikh (resident of Nattas, Dool), Mohammad Ramzan (resident of Dangduroo – Dachhan), trade union leaders from Kishtwar district and Rehamatullah from Doda District (J&K) were only raising pertinent issues regarding socio-environmental impacts of large projects as well as solid waste management.
Some of the key signatories from over 20+ states, include notable activists, academics, advocates likeProf. Roop Rekha Verma, Rama Teltumbde, Soumya Dutta, Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty, Prof. Uma Chakravarti, Lalita Ramdas, Kavita Srivastava, Adv Indira Unninayar, Dr. Sandeep Pandey, Elina Horo, Mayalmit Lepcha, Himanshu Thakkar, Anuradha Bhasin, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Anmol Ohri, Mohd Ishak, Shamsul Islam, Arun Khote, Anand Patwardhan, John Dayal, Dunu Roy, Dr. Nandita Narrain, Raja Muzaffar Bhatt, Prafulla Samantara, Prof. Padmaja Shaw, Hasina Khan, Ashok Chowdhury, Yash Marwah, Cedric Prakash, Ruchit Asha Kamal, Adv Vinay Sreenivasa, Dr. Gabriele Dieterich, Manshi Asher, Kailash Meena, Suhas Kolhekar, Vidya Dinker, Madhuri, Bittu KR, Bhanu Tatak, AS Vasantha, Prasad Chacko, Adv Vertika, Meera Sanghamitra and many others.
The signatories supported the activists stating, “socio-ecological justice activism and raising legitimate concerns should not be mislabeled as “anti-national. Attempts to silence dissent by branding it as “anti-national” weaken the foundations of democratic governance and hinder constructive dialogue on pressing social issues”. Such actions of the State undermine people’s right to hold authorities accountable, the right to peaceful protest and community involvement in decision making processes. It must be emphasized that popular opposition to hydro-power, mega infrastructure is not isolated to the region of Jammu & Kashmir, but is seen across the Himalayan states, given the enviro, socio-economic threats these projects pose to the region at large. Thus, clamping down on ecological movements in the region only hampers the much-needed struggle to combat climate crisis.
An appeal was made both to the newly formed government in Jammu & Kashmir and to the Union Government not to resort to high-handed interventions, as people on the ground voice legitimate concerns in a peaceful way. The signatories hoped that as the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference at Baku (COP29) is underway, necessary attention would be paid to environmental defenders back home, safeguarding ecology at great risk.
The full text of the statement with all signatories is below. For details: Write to [email protected]
Statement by 250 activists and organizations from across India
Stop Arbitrary Detentions and Intimidation of Social & Environmental Activists in Jammu & Kashmir Save Ecology & Uphold Democratic Rights in J&K and entire Himalayan Region
Release all detained activists immediately: Withdraw arbitrary cases
13th Nov, 2024: National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), along with other people’s organizations and concerned citizens from across India strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of social and environmental activists in Jammu & Kashmir under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Those detained under the provisions of J&K Public Safety Act, 1978, include Mohammad Abdullah Gujjar (resident of Sigdi Bhata), Noor Din (resident of Kakerwagan), Ghulam Nabi Choppan (resident of Trungi – Dachhan), Mohammad Jaffer Sheikh (resident of Nattas, Dool) and Mohammad Ramzan (resident of Dangduroo – Dachhan), trade union leaders from Kishtwar district.
The authorities claim that these persons were attempting to ‘obstruct projects of national importance’. However, according to local sources and social media posts of activists and journalists from the Chenab Valley, the detained activists were voicing several specific concerns about the hydropower projects including infrastructure-related impacts and damages, environmental violations, denial of compensation and rehabilitation etc. They also alleged that local houses and properties suffered severe damage due to project-related blasting and that construction work reportedly caused ‘structural integrity issues’ in nearby buildings. It is learnt that 22 other persons have been placed under state ‘surveillance’ and we fear that they may also be subject to arbitrary detention or arrests.
It has also been reported that another young climate activist Rehamatullah (25), from Dessa Bhatta of Doda (J&K), who has been vocal about environmental issues and was actively uncovering a solid waste management scam, has been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). His work exposed the alleged misuse of funds and negligence in managing local waste, affecting public health and the environment. These detentions have raised concerns among local communities and environmental organizations, who view it as a suppression of environmental activism and transparency efforts.
We are of the earnest view that the detention of these activists who have only been advocating for the protection of local ecosystems, people’s democratic rights and truly sustainable development, undermine the right to hold authorities accountable, the right to peaceful protest and community involvement in decision making processes. It also represents a troubling misuse of power and a suppression of fundamental rights, which should alarm every citizen who believes in democracy and justice.
The criminalization of activism in Jammu and Kashmir, exemplified by laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA), has systematically suppressed local voices. We must unite in support of activists, including climate justice activists, and support their well-meaning advocacy efforts in J&K. It is imperative that the new government that has been voted to power in J&K with expectations that at least some democratic rights would be upheld, must live up to this popular mandate. Even as issues and subjects of federal rights are divided between the Centre and J&K, we expect the Lieutenant Governor and the Central Government to act responsibly and refrain from high-handed interventions, as people on the ground voice legitimate concerns in a peaceful way.
It must be emphasized that popular opposition to hydro-power and mega infrastructure is not isolated to the region of Jammu & Kashmir, but is seen across the Himalayan states, given the environmental and socio-economic threats these projects pose to the region at large. Thus, clamping down on ecological movements in the region only hampers the much-needed struggle to combat climate crisis.
NAPM strongly asserts that socio-ecological justice activism and the act of raising legitimate concerns should not be mis-labelled as “anti-national.” Attempts to silence dissent by branding it as “anti-national” weaken the foundations of democratic governance and hinder constructive dialogue on pressing social issues.
We call for the immediate and unconditional release all detainees and demand that the PSA, other charges against them be withdrawn. Activism and dissent are essential components of a healthy democracy, and they should be respected rather than criminalized. The authorities must instead impartially inquire into the allegations of corruption, ensure participatory socio-environmental impact assessments and prioritize ecological justice. As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference kickstarts at Baku (COP29), we hope necessary attention would be paid to environmental defenders back home, safeguarding ecology at great risk.
List of Signatories
| Sl. No. | Name | Organization / Profession | Location |
| Hananya AS | Student | Mumbai, Maharashtra | |
| Paran Amitava | Researcher | Ranchi, Jharkhand | |
| Meera Sanghamitra | Social Activist, NAPM | Hyderabad | |
| AVS Krishna Chaitanya | Software Engineer | Hyderabad | |
| Mahnoor | Drama therapist | Hyderabad/Telangana | |
| Heman | Researcher | Ahmedabad | |
| Nikita Naidu | Climate Action Consultant | Hyderabad, Telangana | |
| Anannya | PhD scholar | New Delhi | |
| Kavita Srivastava | PUCL | Jaipur/ Rajasthan | |
| Tannuja Chauhan | Visual Artist | New Delhi | |
| John Michael | NAPM National Urban Struggles Forum | Hyderabad | |
| Annapurna Menon | Lecturer | Jaipur, Rajasthan | |
| Yash Agrawal | Fridays For Future Mumbai | Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra | |
| Elina Horo | Adivasi Women’s Network | Ranchi, Jharkhand | |
| Natasha Pereira | Self-employed | Mumbai | |
| Saravanan V | PhD Student, JNU | New Delhi | |
| Sabique Hasan Ahmed | Greenkeepers/Student | Guwahati, Assam | |
| Bhumi | Student | Shimla | |
| Aditya Partap Singh | Student | New Delhi | |
| Habiburrahman | Accounts | Chennai | |
| Mayalmit lepcha | Affected citizens of Teesta | Sikkim | |
| Sara | Professor | Tamil Nadu | |
| Kailash Mina | Napm | Neemkathana Rajasthan | |
| Arundhati Dhuru | NAPM | Lucknow UP | |
| Dr Sandeep Pandey | Socialist Party (India) | U P | |
| Manshi Asher | Himdhara Collective | Himachal Pradesh | |
| Nikita Jain | Journalist | Delhi | |
| Nishant Bangera | Muse Foundation | Mumbai | |
| Oindrila | Climate Advocate | Visakhapatnam | |
| Varshith.M | Student | Andhra Pradesh | |
| Seema khaleel | Conservationist | Karnataka | |
| Mohammad Ishak | Social Worker | Uttarakhand | |
| Rakesh Shivaji Gholap | Social worker | Thane ,/ Maharashtra | |
| Ramnarayan | Ecologist | Uttarakhand | |
| Shreyas Pande | Journalist | Mumbai | |
| Koninika Ray | National Federation of Indian Women | New Delhi | |
| Syed Juneed ul Haq Andrabi | NAPM J&K | Shopian | |
| Roop Rekha Verma | Individual | Lucknow | |
| Kumar Mukesh | Social Activist | Kaithal/Haryana | |
| Shubham Kothari | JHSS/Activist | Mumbai/Maharashtra | |
| sanjana | Consultant | Maharashtra | |
| Ankita Marwaha | Social campaigner | New Delhi | |
| Nisha Biswas | Scientist | Kolkata | |
| Rahee S G | Student | Pune/ Delhi | |
| Roopashri Sinha | Freelance researcher | Maharashtra | |
| Dr Vijay Rukmini Rao | Development | Nalgonda, Telangana | |
| Sujata Patel | Teacher and Researcher | Maharashtra | |
| Chakri | Samalochana | Anakapalle | |
| Sanober Keshwaar | Retired law lecturer | Mm | |
| Rosamma Thomas | Freelancer | Pala town, Kerala | |
| Deepa | Gender Consultant | Bhopal/Madhya Pradesh | |
| Osama Rawal | Students | Thane/ Maharashtra | |
| Sagari Ramdas | Food Sovereignty Alliance, India | Hyderabad, Telangana | |
| Shamsul Islam | Former faculty Delhi University | NCR | |
| Neelima Sharma | Street theatre | NCR | |
| Ambika Tandon | PhD student | Delhi | |
| anamik shah | Professor | Rajkot/Gujarat | |
| ARUN KHOTE | Justice News | Lucknow | |
| Ashish | Advocate | Telangana | |
| Indira | Public Health | Delhi | |
| Frazer Mascarenhas | Academic Administrator | Mumbai | |
| sharmila | academic, IITB | Mumbai, Maharashtra | |
| Suhas Kolhekar | National Alliance of People’s Movements | Pune | |
| P. Rohini Rajasekaran | Multi-disciplinary Artist | Bengaluru | |
| Youth For Himalaya | Youth For Himalaya | India | |
| Sandeep Pandey | Socialist Party (India) | Lucknow | |
| Shehbaz | Student activist | Mumbai | |
| Ayaskant Das | Independent Journalist | Delhi | |
| Ayaz Niyaz Ahmad | Fatima shaikh study circle | Thane, Maharashtra | |
| Vidya Dinker | INSAF | Mangalore | |
| Pervin Jehangir | Social Work | Mumbai | |
| Madhuri | social activist | Madhya Pradesh | |
| Rohin Kumar | Journalist | Delhi | |
| Nina Verma | NA | Mumbai | |
| Pritam | Student | Aasssm | |
| Harpuneet Kaur | PFUS | Chandigarh, Punjab | |
| Shiva Shankar | Professor, retired | Chennai | |
| Alok Ranjan | Climate campaigner | New Delhi | |
| Freny Manecksha | Independent journalist | Thane Maharashtra | |
| Kaneez Fathima | Civil Rights Activist | Telangana | |
| Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan | Editor, The Milli Gazette | New Delhi | |
| Amir Rizvi | Designer | Mumbai | |
| Anand Patwardhan | None | Mumbai | |
| M A Lateef Atear | Secretary | Hyderabad | |
| Shalini Dhawan | Designer | Mumbai | |
| Dunu Roy | Hazards Centre | New Delhi/Delhi | |
| Rama TELTUMBDE | – | Mumbai/ Maharashtra | |
| Sayed safiulla | Working | Karnataka | |
| K. Sajaya | Women & Transgender Orgs JAC | Hyderabad/ Telangana | |
| Rita Manchanda | Independent Researcher and Writer | Delhi | |
| Uma Shankari | Farmer, Citizen | Hyderabad, Telangana | |
| Vijayasingh Ronald David | Coorg Organisation for Rural Development | Kushalnagar | |
| Yusuf Shaikh | Retired | Karad | |
| Kamayani | Trainer Gender , Health and Human Rights | Mumbai | |
| Manvar Sunil | Activist | Pune | |
| Rahul Varman | Academic | Kanpur, UP | |
| Sadia Sohail | NGO | Delhi | |
| Muhmina | Lawyer | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | |
| Nandita Narain | Democratic Teachers’ Front, Delhi University | Delhi | |
| Dr Lubna Sarwath | Member, Indian National Congress, Hyderabad | Hyderabad | |
| Prafulla Samantara | Lok Shakti Abhiyan | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | |
| Aruna | Retired | Pune Maharashtra | |
| Himanshu Thakkar | SANDRP | Delhi | |
| Arunyajyothi | Student | Telangana | |
| Sujata Madhok | None | Delhi | |
| Arunyajyothi | Student | Telangana | |
| Bittu K R | WSS | Sonipat, Haryana | |
| Sharanya Nayak | Indigenous Peoples’ Land Life and Knowledge Collective | Koraput, Odisha | |
| John Dayal | Writer | Delhi | |
| Padmaja Shaw | Rtd Professor | Hyderabad | |
| Abdul Majid Attar | Kashmir Conservancy Movement | Kashmir | |
| Zeeshan Ahmed | Business | Mumbai | |
| Aagnay | Self employed | Bhimtal, Uttarakhand | |
| Devi | Activist | Hyderabad | |
| Prasad Chacko | Social Worker | Ahmedabad | |
| Barnali Mukherjee | ACTIVIST | Kolkata | |
| Roshni Mukherjee | Officer in a University | West Bengal | |
| Jacques Gelineau | Fondation rivières | Sept-Îles , Canada | |
| Mohammad Chappalwala | Sambhaavnaa Institute | Palampur/ Himachal Pradesh | |
| Shruthi | Educator | Bengaluru | |
| maithreyi m r | freelance professional editor | mumbai | |
| Nupur Jain | PhD student | Maharashtra | |
| Basudev Banerjee | Social activist | West Bengal.. | |
| Banhi Chakraborty | Ex-teacher, IIT, Kharagpur, West Bengal | Kolkata, West Bengal | |
| Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool | J&K RTI Movement | Srinagar | |
| Hasan Abdullah | Research | Delhi | |
| Kavita Upadhyay | Independent journalist and researcher | Nainital, Uttarakhand | |
| Suryanshu | Student | Vellore, Tamil Nadu | |
| Disha Ravi | Fridays For Future India | Bangalore, Karnataka | |
| Priya Pillai | Researcher | Thrissur | |
| Yashasva Bhatia | Student | Delhi | |
| Sumanta Banerjee | Political commentator | Hyderabad/Telangana | |
| Laxman Gurung | Himalayan Alliance for Water and Agriculture HAWA | Kathmandu | |
| Prabhakaran | Poovulagin Nanbargal | Chennai, Tamilnadu | |
| Aanchal | Communication | Pune | |
| Sandhya gokhale | Forum Against Oppression of Women | Mumbai | |
| Hasina khan , Biraj Mehta, Maivish, Gulshaad | Bebaak Collective | Maharashtra | |
| Meghaa S | Consultant | Chennai | |
| Ashok choudhary | Aiufwp | Saharanpur, UP | |
| Mandakini | Lawyer | Hyderabad | |
| Joseph Maliakan | Veteran Journalist | Delhi | |
| Sundarrajan | Environment activist | Chennai | |
| Dr. Sheetal Kamble | TASHI Organization | Thane Maharashtra | |
| Dr Vikas Bajpai | JNU | Delhi | |
| Shankar | Activist | Dehradun | |
| Soham | social media manager | Delhi | |
| Spalzes Angmo | Project coordinator | Leh | |
| FIROZ | SCHOOL TEACHER | DELHI | |
| Mr Soumya Dutta | MAUSAM / Author-Educator-Researcher | Delhi | |
| Tanisha Negi | Self employed | Himachal Pradesh | |
| Kopal | Let India Breathe | Ghaziabad | |
| AA | NA | Tamil nadu | |
| Daniel Jose | Climate Front India | Kochi | |
| Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat | Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement , Coalition of Climate Activists J&K | Jammu & Kashmir | |
| Raksha Awasya | Lawyer | Delhi | |
| Neelam Ahluwalia Nakra | People for Aravallis group | Haryana | |
| Anjali | Activist | Maharashtra | |
| Geeta sahu | Individual | Belgaum | |
| Yugma Collective | Youth Organisation | Maharashtra | |
| Rajesh Desai | Environment Movement | Maharashtra | |
| Deepthi Sirla | NAPM | Hyderabad | |
| Ashish Kajla | Independent Researcher | Rajasthan | |
| Cedric Prakash | Human Rights Reconciliation & Peace Activist/Writer | Ahmedabad / Gujarat | |
| Bhawna Tanwar | There Is No Earth B | New Delhi | |
| Saksham Bisen | Software Engineer | Chhattisgarh | |
| Piyush Kumar | Artist | New Delhi | |
| Sameer | Journalist | Kashmir | |
| SUMAN TVVM | FREELANCER | VISAKHAPATNAM/ ANDHRA PRADESH | |
| Abhinandan Nath | Canara International School Life Skills Coach | Karnataka Mangalore | |
| Hasina khan | Researcher activist | Maharashtra | |
| Bhim | Independent | Delhi | |
| Vikas Jain | Naturalist | Pali Rajasthan | |
| Dr | Doctor | Pondicherry | |
| Saroj | Teacher | Gurgaon, Haryana | |
| Vikas Singh | Azim Premji University | Kota Rajasthan | |
| Nilima Kallara | Salaried | Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra | |
| Smita Hemlata | BJA/Freelancer | Pune/Maharashtra | |
| Kashif jubapu | Friday for further Karnataka | Karnataka | |
| Rupa Chinai | Independent journalist | Mumbai | |
| Sarang V. Yadwadkar | Architect | Pune, Maharashtra | |
| Vertika Mani | Lawyer, PUCL Delhi | Delhi | |
| Kailash Anerao | Chartered Accountant | Thane | |
| Aurobindo | MANAVSEVA | NCT DELHI | |
| Nayana | Researcher | Bengaluru, Karnataka | |
| Moncy M Thomas | Library | Kerala | |
| Sandhya Raju | Ccrra | Kerala | |
| Bhaskar Chakraborty | Creative Work | Mumbai | |
| Vinay Kooragayala Sreenivasa | Advocate | Karnataka | |
| People For Himalaya | People For Himalaya | India | |
| Suchitra Mathur | Teacher | Kanpur, UP | |
| Naveen aolanki | other | Delhi | |
| AFFAN ALIG | JOURNALIST | New Delhi | |
| Dr. Mohd Raffique | Socio-political Activist | Nuh, Haryana | |
| Ekta | Climate activist | Uttar pradesh | |
| Mohan | Climate front – Vishakhapatnam | Andhra pradesh | |
| Apoorv Grover | Ophthalmologist/ Doctor | New Delhi | |
| Kavita | Banker | Himachal Pradesh | |
| Sushma | Wildpaw Adventures | Mumbai | |
| Amrita Shodhan | Teacher | Ahmedabad | |
| Chythenyen | Researcher | Tamil Nadu | |
| Shridevi Kotkar | Advocate | Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra | |
| Bharat Bhushan | Earth Army Foundation | Rohtak | |
| Dar naseer | Wular Fisherman union organizer | Jammu kashmir | |
| Lakshmi krishnamurty | Social anthropologist (retd) | Karnataka | |
| Mukesh | Teacher | Mumbai | |
| Anmol Ohri | Climate Front – Jammu | Jammu, J&K | |
| Ruchith Asha Kamal | Climate Front Hyderabad | Hyderabad / Telangana | |
| Raina Roy | Samabhabona | Kolkata | |
| Soumita | Student | Visakhapatnam | |
| Rupa | FFF | Mumbai | |
| Gabriele Dietrich | Pennurimai Iyakkam | Madurai | |
| Ishika | Delhi University | Delhi | |
| Radhika Deonalli | Freelancer | Mumbai/Maharashtra | |
| Manoranjan Mohanty | Retired Professor Delhi University | Delhi | |
| Parimala | FITE | Chennai, Tamilnadu | |
| Tara Mutali | Individual | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | |
| Yash | Let India Breathe | India | |
| Priyansh | Right To Food Campaign | Delhi | |
| Reema | Concerned Citizen | Mumbai, Maharashtra | |
| Nagal | Principal Accountant General TN and Kerala Office of CAG of India | Chennai | |
| Pratap Raval | Retired professor | Maharashtra | |
| Bhanu Tatak | Dibang resistance | Arunachal Pradesh | |
| Aastha Rai | Student | Gorakhpur/UP | |
| Pia | Jan Haq Sangharsh Samiti | Mumbai | |
| Indira Unninayar | Advocate – Supreme Court and Delhi High Court | Delhi/Gurgaon/NCR | |
| N D Pancholi | PUCL | Ghaziabad, UP | |
| Uma Chakravarti | Retired teacher. | Delhi | |
| Mandar | Farmer | Maharashtra | |
| Lalita Ramdas | LARA – Ramu Farm | Alibag, Maharashtra | |
| Atreyi | Research Scientist | Kolkata | |
| Deshmukh Sareem Kalim | Electrician | Majalgaon | |
| Harcharan Singh Chahal | Retired Bank officer | Barnala | |
| george sorger | retired university professor | ottawa, canada | |
| C.Elumalai | Rural People`s SangamT | Tamilnadu | |
| Ebo mili | North east human rights | Arunachal Pradesh | |
| Gabriele Dietrich | Pennurimai Iyakkam | Madurai | |
| amitraj deshmukh | NAPM | Pune | |
| V. Saldanha | Feminist Activist | Maharashtra | |
| Gyanendra nath sinha | Retired journalist | Ara, Bihar | |
| Paramjit kaur | President IWC | Jammu | |
| Neeta Ratwani | Film maker | Mumbai | |
| Askari Zaidi | Journalist | Delhi | |
| Rajesh Darak | Whistleblowers India | Mumbai | |
| Divya Negi | Engineer | HImachal | |
| Asha Puri | Teacher | NCR | |
| Anchit Thukral | Filmmaker | Delhi | |
| Anuradha Bhasin | Stanford University | Palo Alto | |
| Josue ARUNA | Congo Basin Conservation Society CBCS network | DRC | |
| AS Vasantha | WSS | Delhi | |
| Sumaiya Islam | BNSK ( A grassroot level women migrant workers Association) | Dhaka-based, Bangladesh | |
| Dinesh Malshe | Retired | PUNE / MAHARSHTRA | |
| Neeraj Malik | Professor | Noida U. P. | |
| Rajendra Babu Arvini | retired from Government service | Hyderabad. Telangana | |
| Suresh Tamang | RRN | 556661 | |
| Abha | One Billion Rising international campaign | Dharamshala | |
| Humaira | Mental health professional | Mumbai | |
| Narendra chugh | JALBIRADARI | Pune, Maharashtra | |
| swati desai | napm | gujarat | |
| There Is No Earth B | There Is No Earth B | Delhi NCR | |
| Kartik Jandial | Climate front jammu | Jammu | |
| Sushil khanna | Professor | Professor retired | |
| prasad suryawnshi | engineer | maharashtra | |
| Aditi Mehta | Retired | Udaipur Rajasthan |
