Protester against sand mafia alleges defamatory allegations against her by the Revenue Minister, Kerala: NHRC issues notice to the Secretary, State Revenue Department
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 18th November, 2013
The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Secretary, Revenue Department, Government of Kerala calling for the State government's response on the complaint of Smt. Jazeera alleging that the State Revenue Minister, Shri Adoor Prakash has made baseless and defamatory allegations against her in the wake of her protest and agitation opposing sand mafia and action taken report sought by the NHRC from the State on the issues in this context raised by her.
Reportedly, the Revenue Minister had stated that "there is somebody behind Smt. Jazeera. She has connection with terrorist organisations …..". He is also reported to have told reporters "I have reports from relevant Government authorities to prove that she get financial support from a fundamental outfit". He further said that he was ready to share the inputs with NHRC if it were to ask him to provide the same.
In her complaint dated 4th November, 2013, Smt. Jazeera has stated that she had met the Minister in person and demanded in writing that either he should prove the allegations or he should withdraw them. Since no response has come from the Minister even after two weeks, she has requested the Commission to ensure she gets justice in the matter.
The Commission has observed that if the allegations of Smt. Jazeera are correct, she indeed would be feeling hurt and aggrieved. The statements attributed to the Minister amount to attempt to malign a citizen who, in exercise of her Fundamental Right to freedom of speech and expression, is agitating against the illegal mining of sand from riverbeds and seashores of Kerala.
The Commission asked the Secretary, Revenue Department that if the statements attributed to the Minister are correct, Government may furnish the materials to support the statements. A report is expected within four weeks.
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New Delhi, 18th November, 2013
The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Secretary, Revenue Department, Government of Kerala calling for the State government's response on the complaint of Smt. Jazeera alleging that the State Revenue Minister, Shri Adoor Prakash has made baseless and defamatory allegations against her in the wake of her protest and agitation opposing sand mafia and action taken report sought by the NHRC from the State on the issues in this context raised by her.
Reportedly, the Revenue Minister had stated that "there is somebody behind Smt. Jazeera. She has connection with terrorist organisations …..". He is also reported to have told reporters "I have reports from relevant Government authorities to prove that she get financial support from a fundamental outfit". He further said that he was ready to share the inputs with NHRC if it were to ask him to provide the same.
In her complaint dated 4th November, 2013, Smt. Jazeera has stated that she had met the Minister in person and demanded in writing that either he should prove the allegations or he should withdraw them. Since no response has come from the Minister even after two weeks, she has requested the Commission to ensure she gets justice in the matter.
The Commission has observed that if the allegations of Smt. Jazeera are correct, she indeed would be feeling hurt and aggrieved. The statements attributed to the Minister amount to attempt to malign a citizen who, in exercise of her Fundamental Right to freedom of speech and expression, is agitating against the illegal mining of sand from riverbeds and seashores of Kerala.
The Commission asked the Secretary, Revenue Department that if the statements attributed to the Minister are correct, Government may furnish the materials to support the statements. A report is expected within four weeks.
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