People's Democracy

N a joint statement issued on January 18, SAHMAT secretary Shabnam Hashmi and Janwadi Lekhak Sangh secretary Chanchal Chauhan have strongly condemned the threats being doled out to Shri Rajendra Yadav’s life and person. Shri Yadav is an eminent Hindi writer, a former member of the Prasar Bharati Board and editor of Hans, a reputed Hindi journal. It has been learnt that some Hindu fundamentalist organisations like the Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have been issuing such threats to Shri Yadav’s life and person after he wrote an editorial in his journal.

Referring to various newspapers that have reported about the threat being issued to Shri Yadav, the SAHMAT-JLS joint statement said we are living in a democratic society and the constitution of India ensures us freedom of literary expression and its criticism by any citizen. The threat to any writer’s life and person is not only against the norms and behaviour of a civilised society but also against the rule of law and an act of terrorism, the statement added.

The JLS and SAHMAT have asked the police commissioner of Delhi to provide Shri Rajendra Yadav necessary police protection so that no harm is caused to his person or property.