It is time for all sensible people not to be silent spectators but to speak out against such fascist attitude of groups and even individuals.

The attack on Advocate Prashant Bhushan is deeply troubling the activists in Gujarat. These fascists tendency can cause havoc, especially to those fighting for the deprived sections of society.

Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Sahiyar (Stree Sangathan), Jyoti Karmachari Mandal, Peoples Training and Research Centre, Jatan – A mission for Organic Farming, Sahaj and Nagrik Forum condemn the attack on Senior Human Rights Lawyer and activist Shri Prashant Bhushan. Advocate Prashant Bhushan has consistently fought for the marginated and deprived in our country, stood up for values of honesty and cleanliness in public life including in the judiciary - all this at great personal risk. He has been a role model of what a good lawyer ought to be when the legal profession is preoccupied with material enhancement and self-promotion.

The litmus test of a democracy is the right to dissent. It is easy to impose majoritarian views. However democracy needs the right to differ, debate and dissent like we need the air we breathe. The rule of law needs to prevail and that means respecting differences. Diversity needs to be appreciated not merely tolerated.

We are also very much disturbed when the viewpoints of few groups and even some individuals are considered as the viewpoint of people of India.

It is time for sensible people not to be silent spectators but to speak out against such fascist attitude of groups and even individuals.

Dr. J. S. Bandukwala, Renu Khanna, Ashok Gupta, Tapan Dasgupta
People’s Union for Civil Liberties

Swati Desai, Rajnibhai Dave, Anand Mazgaonkar, Rohit Prajapati
Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti

Trupti Shah , Ritaben Chokshi
Sahiyar (Stree Sangathan)

Kapil Shah
Jatan – A mission for Organic Farming

Amrish Brahmbhatt, Kantibhai Mistry
Jyoti Karmachari Mandal

Chinu Srinivasan
Sahaj

Jagdish Patel
Peoples Training and Research Centre

Janak Parikh
Nagrik Forum