By Special Correspondent
New Delhi : Welcoming the Supreme Court order to shift Malayali journalist Siddique Kappan to Delhi from Mathura, social organization Popular Front of India on Wednesday took strong exception to the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta reference of Popular Front during hearing alleging that he tried to mislead the court with “blatant lies and baseless allegations” against Popular Front. Today the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to shift Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan from the Mathura jail to a government hospital in Delhi for medical treatment. Kappan has to be given treatment either in AIIMS or Ram Lohia hospital or any other government hospital in Delhi.
Popular Front of India Chairman, O M A Salam, in a statement, has welcomed the SC order on Kappan and appreciated leaders, activists and civil society for their support for justice. The order is a temporary relief to all citizens and groups of conscience who raised their voice for justice for Siddique Kappan and other innocents incarcerated in the case.
He said the SC order has exposed the UP government and it has become all the clearer that the entire case was part of a political vendetta to cover up the failure of Yogi after the gruesome rape-murder of a Dalit girl.
Front chairman Salam said Popular Front condemns the false claims of the Solicitor General and the malicious attempts he made to mislead the court accusing him of misleading the court with “blatant lies and baseless allegations” against the organization.
“Mehta tried to create the impression that being linked to Popular Front, which is a lawfully and democratically working organization, itself constituted a crime, ” he added.
“The SG shamelessly claimed that Popular Front was an organization banned in a few states, which was an outright lie. Only the Jharkhand BJP government banned Popular Front in a highly undemocratic and authoritarian move, which was once lifted by the high court before it was reimposed”.
Front chairman exude confidence that “when the matter comes to hearing before the HC the ban order in Jharkhand will once again be revoked as it is based on baseless imaginations.
He also stated that Kappan and the student leaders arrested were scapegoats in the false narrative created by UP police. Justice will not be complete until all the innocents come out of jail.
The Popular Front appreciates civil rights organization, journalist organization, political leaders, community leaders, activists and general public for standing up for justice. We appeal to all to remain steadfast until justice is complete.
