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Home / News / India News / Photos / Yearender 2021: 10 young activists who kept dissent alive in India

Yearender 2021: 10 young activists who kept dissent alive in India

Updated On: 31 December, 2021 11:12 AM IST |

The year 2021 could be labelled as the year of dissent as young activists from across the country refused to be silenced despite a clampdown on free speech by powers that be. Here is a list of 10 such dissenters who went on to become the conscience-keepers of the country in the face of suppression. Images/Official social media accounts, File

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The year 2021 could be labelled as the year of dissent as young activists from across the country refused to be silenced despite a clampdown on free speech by powers that be. Here is a list of 10 such dissenters who went on to become the conscience-keepers of the country in the face of suppression. Images/Official social media accounts, File

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The year 2021 could be labelled as the year of dissent as young activists from across the country refused to be silenced despite a clampdown on free speech by powers that be. Here is a list of 10 such dissenters who went on to become the conscience-keepers of the country in the face of suppression. Images/Official social media accounts, File

1. Disha Ravi Disha Anappa Ravi, a 22-year-old climate activist, was arrested from her home in Bengaluru on February 13, 2021, flown down to Delhi and charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy for allegedly editing a toolkit Greta Thunberg had shared online to supposedly help the protesting farmers in India. She was granted bail by a Delhi court 10 days later. Ravi has since become a force to reckon with for many young dissenters as she continues to be a vocal critic of government policies.

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1. Disha Ravi Disha Anappa Ravi, a 22-year-old climate activist, was arrested from her home in Bengaluru on February 13, 2021, flown down to Delhi and charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy for allegedly editing a toolkit Greta Thunberg had shared online to supposedly help the protesting farmers in India. She was granted bail by a Delhi court 10 days later. Ravi has since become a force to reckon with for many young dissenters as she continues to be a vocal critic of government policies.

2. Natasha Narwal A human rights activist and an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Natasha Narwal is the founder of Pinjra Tod, a collective of students (mainly women) from across Delhi that fights oppression against women. Daughter of late Mahavir Narwal, an agriculture scientist and Communist leader, Natasha was charged with UAPA for allegedly engaging in “premeditated conspiracy” in connection with the Northeast Delhi riots in February 2020. She was released on bail on June 17, 2021, after spending over a year in jail.

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2. Natasha Narwal A human rights activist and an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Natasha Narwal is the founder of Pinjra Tod, a collective of students (mainly women) from across Delhi that fights oppression against women. Daughter of late Mahavir Narwal, an agriculture scientist and Communist leader, Natasha was charged with UAPA for allegedly engaging in “premeditated conspiracy” in connection with the Northeast Delhi riots in February 2020. She was released on bail on June 17, 2021, after spending over a year in jail.

3. Devangana Kalita A Pinjra Tod activist, Kalita is known for her participation in various protests, including gender equality demonstrations. She was arrested by the Delhi Police in May 2020 for protesting against the Centre’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens (CAA-NRC). Kalita was released on bail the same day as her aide Natasha Narwal in June 2021. Upon release, she said, “We were always hopeful that justice will prevail through judicial system, the rising voices of protest.”

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3. Devangana Kalita A Pinjra Tod activist, Kalita is known for her participation in various protests, including gender equality demonstrations. She was arrested by the Delhi Police in May 2020 for protesting against the Centre’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens (CAA-NRC). Kalita was released on bail the same day as her aide Natasha Narwal in June 2021. Upon release, she said, “We were always hopeful that justice will prevail through judicial system, the rising voices of protest.”

4. Asif Iqbal Tanha Asif Iqbal Tanha is a student of Jamia Milia Islamia and a member of the Students` Islamic Organisation of India. He, too, was arrested in May 2020 and like Kalita and Narwal was labelled “mastermind” behind the Northeast Delhi riots. He was charged under the UAPA by the Delhi Police. Kalita, Narwal and Tanha were released from the Tihar jail the same day. Like the women, he too resounded that the fight against CAA and NRC will continue.

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4. Asif Iqbal Tanha Asif Iqbal Tanha is a student of Jamia Milia Islamia and a member of the Students` Islamic Organisation of India. He, too, was arrested in May 2020 and like Kalita and Narwal was labelled “mastermind” behind the Northeast Delhi riots. He was charged under the UAPA by the Delhi Police. Kalita, Narwal and Tanha were released from the Tihar jail the same day. Like the women, he too resounded that the fight against CAA and NRC will continue.

5. Umar Khalid  A research scholar at JNU and a former member of Democratic Students’ Union, Khalid has often been seen debating with prime time TV journalists and is known for his speeches at Shaheen Bagh, and elsewhere, on the “idea of India” and constitutional values. In 2016, Khalid was arrested under sedition charges and later released on bail, for reportedly organising an event inside the university premises against the death sentence of Afzal Guru. Four years later, he was arrested again by the Delhi Police under UAPA for being “one of the main conspirators” of the Northeast Delhi riots in February 2020. He kicked up a nationwide storm after he called the Delhi riots conspiracy case `cooked up`. He continues to be in jail on various charges after his bail pleas were rejected.

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5. Umar Khalid  A research scholar at JNU and a former member of Democratic Students’ Union, Khalid has often been seen debating with prime time TV journalists and is known for his speeches at Shaheen Bagh, and elsewhere, on the “idea of India” and constitutional values. In 2016, Khalid was arrested under sedition charges and later released on bail, for reportedly organising an event inside the university premises against the death sentence of Afzal Guru. Four years later, he was arrested again by the Delhi Police under UAPA for being “one of the main conspirators” of the Northeast Delhi riots in February 2020. He kicked up a nationwide storm after he called the Delhi riots conspiracy case `cooked up`. He continues to be in jail on various charges after his bail pleas were rejected.

6. Deepa Mohanan A 36-year-old Dalit scientist and PhD student at Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, Mohanan went on a hunger strike on October 29, 2021, demanding the removal of her research guide Nandakumar Kalarickal. She questioned if the completion of her projects was delayed because of her “Dalit status”. Standing strong in the face of backlash, all her demands were met on November 9 and Kalarickal was ousted. In 2015 too, Mohanan had filed a complaint under the SC/ST Act against Kalarickal, alleging caste-based discrimination.

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6. Deepa Mohanan A 36-year-old Dalit scientist and PhD student at Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, Mohanan went on a hunger strike on October 29, 2021, demanding the removal of her research guide Nandakumar Kalarickal. She questioned if the completion of her projects was delayed because of her “Dalit status”. Standing strong in the face of backlash, all her demands were met on November 9 and Kalarickal was ousted. In 2015 too, Mohanan had filed a complaint under the SC/ST Act against Kalarickal, alleging caste-based discrimination.

7. Sharjeel Imam An IIT Bombay and JNU alumnus, Sharjeel Imam was arrested from his hometown in Bihar in January 2020 after a video emerged on social media where he was allegedly heard “instigating” people to cut off Assam from India in a speech from 2019. He later clarified that he was talking about road blockade as a means of protest. He also faced backlash and media trial for reportedly being one of the organisers of the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA protests. Imam faces several anti-terror and national security charges for being a part of protests and rallies. On December 9, 2021 he was granted bail by a Delhi court in the inflammatory speech case.

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7. Sharjeel Imam An IIT Bombay and JNU alumnus, Sharjeel Imam was arrested from his hometown in Bihar in January 2020 after a video emerged on social media where he was allegedly heard “instigating” people to cut off Assam from India in a speech from 2019. He later clarified that he was talking about road blockade as a means of protest. He also faced backlash and media trial for reportedly being one of the organisers of the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA protests. Imam faces several anti-terror and national security charges for being a part of protests and rallies. On December 9, 2021 he was granted bail by a Delhi court in the inflammatory speech case.

8. Nikita Jacob Jacob is a 30-year-old lawyer from Mumbai who was named in the toolkit case along with Disha Ravi by the Delhi Police. A non-bailable warrant was issued against her for alleged involvement in the toolkit that Greta Thunberg had shared in connection with the farmers’ movement. On February 14, the Bombay High Court granted her protection from arrest and transit anticipatory bail.

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8. Nikita Jacob Jacob is a 30-year-old lawyer from Mumbai who was named in the toolkit case along with Disha Ravi by the Delhi Police. A non-bailable warrant was issued against her for alleged involvement in the toolkit that Greta Thunberg had shared in connection with the farmers’ movement. On February 14, the Bombay High Court granted her protection from arrest and transit anticipatory bail.

9. Shantanu Muluk The 31-year-old engineer from Beed in Maharashtra was accused of involvement in the toolkit case. He has been a part of several green justice reading groups before being accused of spreading false information to enhance ‘pro-Khalistani propaganda’. The Delhi Police had issued a non-bailable warrant against Muluk as well, but the Bombay High Court granted him transit anticipatory bail in February.

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9. Shantanu Muluk The 31-year-old engineer from Beed in Maharashtra was accused of involvement in the toolkit case. He has been a part of several green justice reading groups before being accused of spreading false information to enhance ‘pro-Khalistani propaganda’. The Delhi Police had issued a non-bailable warrant against Muluk as well, but the Bombay High Court granted him transit anticipatory bail in February.

10. Nodeep Kaur The 25-year-old Dalit labour rights activist hails from a family of political activists in Punjab. During her time as a factory worker in Haryana’s Sonipat, Nodeep joined a labour organisation and has since been a strong voice for labour rights. She was arrested on January 12 by the Sonipat Police on charges of attempt to murder, rioting, and assault on a public servant. Cops said Nodeep and her aides attacked them when they had gone to an industrial area after receiving information that the management was being manhandled. The activist’s lawyer claimed that she was sexually assaulted in custody and was being targeted for being the voice of workers. Nodeep’s cause gained global prominence after US Vice-President Kamala Harris’s niece Meena Harris shared her story on social media. On February 26, 2021, she was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

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10. Nodeep Kaur The 25-year-old Dalit labour rights activist hails from a family of political activists in Punjab. During her time as a factory worker in Haryana’s Sonipat, Nodeep joined a labour organisation and has since been a strong voice for labour rights. She was arrested on January 12 by the Sonipat Police on charges of attempt to murder, rioting, and assault on a public servant. Cops said Nodeep and her aides attacked them when they had gone to an industrial area after receiving information that the management was being manhandled. The activist’s lawyer claimed that she was sexually assaulted in custody and was being targeted for being the voice of workers. Nodeep’s cause gained global prominence after US Vice-President Kamala Harris’s niece Meena Harris shared her story on social media. On February 26, 2021, she was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

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