[url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Peace-march-held-to-show-solidarity-for-Dr-Binayak-Teesta/articleshow/7219510.cms#ixzz1A7yg8P8U"]Peace march held to show solidarity for Dr Binayak, Teesta[/url]
Quote:NEW DELHI: Over 200 people from the Christian community gathered at the India Gate on Tuesday to protest the conviction of Dr Binayak Sen. Protesters held a candle-light march and shouted slogans demanding immediate review of the life sentence awarded to Dr Sen and police case against human rights activist Teesta Setalvad. The march began at 6 pm and ended with a peace prayer. Placards with messages like 'in solidarity with Teesta and Binayak' written on them were seen all throughout the march.
The protesters alleged that states like Chattisgarh and Gujarat were unjustifiably targeting the rights activists to silence dissenting voices. Father Dominic Emmanuel of the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese and John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council of Government of India, were among those present.
Dayal said the Central government has been playing a mute spectator to the harassment of rights activists in the states. "Human rights defenders are being targeted and silenced by all sorts of forces - from sections of the judiciary, administration and police on one hand to political extremists on the other. We maybe small and powerless, but as people committed to peace and justice, we cannot remain silent to such erosion of truth and justice," said Dayal.
He added that they have sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India, expressing deep concern of the Christian community on this issue.
"We demand that authorities should stop hounding these two activists. The sentencing of Sen to life must be reviewed and the police case against Setalvad rescinded," said Fr. Emmanuel.