HRD Alert - India - Urgent Appeal for Action– Maharashtra: Threat issued to the life of social activist and woman human rights defender Ms. Trupti Desai, leader of Pune based “Ranragini Bhumata Brigade” for organizing and leading protest against denial of right to offer worship to women in various temples in Maharashtra. A letter by unknown person warned her to meet the same fate like Mr. Narendra Dabholkar, a rationalist who was shot dead in the past – Regarding

HRD Alert - India - Urgent Appeal for Action– Maharashtra: Threat issued to the life of social activist and woman human rights defender Ms. Trupti Desai, leader of Pune based “Ranragini Bhumata Brigade” for organizing and leading protest against denial of right to offer worship to women in various temples in Maharashtra. A letter by unknown person warned her to meet the same fate like Mr. Narendra Dabholkar, a rationalist who was shot dead in the past – Regarding

March 8,  2016

Dear Colleagues,

Greetings! 

Human Rights Defenders Alert - India has issued urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission, and its Focal point of Human Rights Defenders, Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, Chief Minister of Maharashtra,  Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, Director General of Police – Maharashtra, Commissioner of Police - Pune on our grave concern regarding the threat to the life of social activist and woman human rights defender Ms. Trupti Desai, leader of Pune based “Ranragini Bhumata Brigade”. An anonymous threat letter has warned her of dire consequences like thinker and rationalist Mr. Narendra Dabholkar for challenging the Hindu religious ethos. Ms. Trupti Desai, and her group “Ranragini Bhumata Brigade” is spearheading a campaign against centuries-old gender bias and discrimination against women who are traditionally denied entry into the sacred platform to worship the deity at Shani Shingnapur Temple in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.

We request you to address solidarity appeals to the authorities in your organisational / individual capacities immediately. If you choose to use a model appeal that we have created, please feel free to do the same. It is appended – use after filling the portions in red. Beneath the model appeal are the addresses of the authorities. Please send copies of your urgent appeals to  hrda.india@gmail.com,hrda.ict@gmail.com,hrda.scc@gmail.com

Thanks and Regards

Secretariat - HRDA India