CASR Condemns the Targeting of Chatra Ekta Manch President
Hereby we share the Press statement found by the Campaign Against State Rrepression.
Date – 7 December 2025
CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE TARGETING OF CHATRA EKTA MANCH PRESIDENT ABHISHEK BY THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (NIA)*
STOP WITCH HUNTING AND INTIMIDATION OF ACTIVISTS!!
WE DEMAND QUASHING OF BOGUS FIR NO. RC-01/2023/NIA/LUCKNOW INTENDED FOR THE WITCH HUNTING OF ACTIVISTS ACROSS NORTHERN STATE LIKE THE BHIMA KOREGAON CASE !!
We, the CASR, express grave concern over the targeting of Abhishek — a young student-activist associated with Chatra Ekta Manch at Maharishi Dayanand University (Rohtak) — who has been issued a notice by the NIA under the so-called “Lucknow Conspiracy Case.” We view this not as an isolated act, but as part of a broader and dangerous trend: a systematic crackdown on student communities, academic freedom, and dissent across multiple campuses and among social activists.
The act of issuing notices to student activists on vague conspiracy charges — in the absence of transparently shared, credible evidence — is deeply alarming. Such measures risk criminalising dissent and peaceful student activism. The inclusion of students from multiple campuses in this broad net — apparently for their association with student organizations or for raising socio-political concerns — signals that dissent is being treated as a crime rather than a democratic right.
Arrest of Priyanshu Kashyap — part of the same crackdown
In July 2025, the NIA arrested Priyanshu Kashyap, a former student of Delhi University and an activist working with the Delhi General Mazdoor Front (DGMF), from Hisar (Haryana), in connection with the Lucknow Conspiracy Case.
His arrest is part of a broader pattern of harassment and suppression of students, labour-rights activists, advocates, intellectuals, and dissenting voices — many of whom come from marginalized communities. The fact that Priyanshu’s detention was followed by legal and custodial action — despite him being known for legitimate activism on student, labour, peasant, Adivasi, Dalit, and minority rights — signals that the so-called “conspiracy” case is increasingly being used as a tool for political repression and silencing dissent.
By adding Abhishek’s name to the same list of those “under suspicion / notice,” the state appears to be widening the net — targeting not only labour-rights or long-standing activists, but also campus-based student organizers and young dissenters.
The broader assault on academic freedom and student activism across campuses
Recent events at various institutions illustrate a pattern of suppression of student voices, protest rights, and academic dissent (as detailed above). The arrest of Priyanshu Kashyap — after prior raids and harassment — shows this crackdown is not confined to one campus, organization, or individual, but is systemic, affecting multiple states and social-political movements. Universities are supposed to be spaces of free thought, debate, dissent, and pluralism. When expression is policed, dissent punished, and investigations launched against student activists — the fundamental purpose of higher education gets undermined.
For students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, such repression creates an environment of fear. It discourages critical thinking, political engagement, and activism — often the only way to highlight inequities, demand justice, and mobilise for social change. For society, the systematic curtailment of student activism and academic freedom is deeply worrying. It erodes democratic culture, suppresses voices needed for accountability, and damages the very foundation of a healthy public sphere where ideas, dissent, and debate can flourish.
Our demands — for justice, academic freedom, and democratic rights
Immediately withdraw the notice issued to Abhishek unless transparent, credible, and publicly verifiable evidence is produced.
Immediately release Priyanshu Kashyap and all others arrested or detained under the Lucknow Conspiracy Case.
Ensure that no student, activist, or organization is penalised simply for exercising their democratic rights of speech, association, and dissent.
Reaffirm and protect the autonomy of universities: decisions about protests, campus events, academic discourse, and student activism must not be shaped by political or state-agency pressure.
Commit to restoring and safeguarding campus spaces where critical thinking, dialogue, dissent, and activism are encouraged — not punished.
We stand in solidarity with Abhishek, Priyanshu Kashyap, Chatra Ekta Manch, and all campus communities, labour movements, and civil-society groups facing arbitrary notices, arrests, harassment, or repression under the guise of counter-terror or anti-conspiracy operations.
We reaffirm our commitment to peaceful dissent, democratic rights, critical thought, and academic freedom. We call on fellow students, civil-society organisations, media, and concerned citizens to unite in condemning this systematic erosion of academic freedom and civil liberties. We believe that for a just society, universities must remain beacons of free thought, dissent, and social justice — not prisons for ideas.
*CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION*
Organising Team*
(AIRSO,AISF, APCR, ASA, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, COLLECTIVE, CRPP, CSM, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, Nazariya Magazine , Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Smajwadi lok manch, Bahujan Samjavadi Mnach, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)
