India: CASR Strongly Condemns the Arrest of Social Activist Gade Innaiah
We hereby share a statement published by Campaign Against State Repression (CASR).
PRESS STATEMENT
Date – 22 December, 2025
The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) unequivocally condemns the arrest of well-known social activist Gade Innaiah , which represents yet another instance of the state’s systematic assault on democratic rights, civil liberties, and political dissent.
The case against Gade Innaiah has reportedly been registered under Sections 13 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The principal basis cited for his arrest is his participation in the funeral of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Comrade Ramchandra Reddy (Vikalp) and an alleged speech expressing support for Maoist ideology.
CASR categorically asserts that attending a funeral and expressing political or ideological views—without any incitement to violence or involvement in unlawful acts—cannot be treated as criminal offences. The invocation of stringent provisions such as UAPA Sections 13 and 39, which deal with “unlawful activities” and “support to a terrorist organisation,” is a gross misuse of law aimed at criminalising ideology, association, and dissent, rather than addressing any concrete criminal act.
CASR further notes with grave concern that this arrest appears to be part of a broader and well-established pattern of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) targeting social and democratic activists by fabricating so-called “conspiracy” cases. Across the country, the NIA has increasingly relied on vague, sweeping, and unsubstantiated allegations of conspiracy under UAPA to justify arrests, without producing concrete evidence of planning, execution, or participation in any violent or unlawful activity. Such cases are routinely built on ideological positions, past activism, public speeches, or mere presence at events, rather than demonstrable criminal conduct.
The deployment of “conspiracy” as an elastic and catch-all charge enables investigative agencies to bypass constitutional safeguards, prolong incarceration without trial, and punish individuals through the process itself. This practice fundamentally violates settled principles of criminal jurisprudence, which require proof of specific acts and intent, and directly contradicts repeated judicial warnings against guilt by association. The targeting of Gade Innaiah squarely fits this disturbing NIA pattern, where UAPA is weaponised as an instrument of political intimidation rather than a tool of legitimate investigation.
It is important to note that Gade Innaiah has a long and publicly known record of social and democratic activism. He has been actively involved in running and supporting shelter homes for orphaned children, reflecting a sustained commitment to social welfare and humanitarian work. He has also been a frontline activist in the movement for a separate Telangana state, a democratic struggle that was ultimately recognised and fulfilled through constitutional means. Further, he is associated with and has played a leadership role in Bharat Bachao, an anti-fascist democratic front, which works to defend constitutional values, secularism, and civil rights.
The arrest of such an activist underscores a deeply troubling trend where the state seeks to delegitimise and criminalise a lifetime of democratic work by selectively framing political expression and ideological positions as “terrorist support.”
The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly and unequivocally held that ideology cannot be criminalised. In landmark judgments such as Arup Bhuyan v. State of Assam and Indra Das v. State of Assam, the Court ruled that mere membership of, sympathy for, or ideological agreement with a banned organisation does not constitute an offence, unless there is clear evidence of incitement to violence or direct involvement in terrorist or unlawful activities. The Court has consistently emphasised the vital distinction between advocacy of ideas and acts that pose an imminent threat to public order.
By invoking UAPA and BNSS provisions against Gade Innaiah solely on the basis of alleged ideological sympathy, participation in a funeral, and a manufactured conspiracy narrative, the authorities are acting in direct violation of constitutional guarantees and binding Supreme Court jurisprudence. This reflects an alarming pattern in which draconian laws are deployed to silence dissent, intimidate activists, and create a pervasive chilling effect on democratic participation.
CASR warns that the criminalisation of Maoist ideology today opens the door to the criminalisation of any oppositional, radical, or anti-fascist ideology tomorrow. A democracy cannot survive when thoughts, beliefs, and peaceful political expression are treated as crimes, and when investigative agencies are allowed to function as instruments of political repression.
We therefore demand:
1. The immediate and unconditional release of Gade Innaiah.
2. Withdrawal of false and fabricated charges under UAPA and BNSS.
3. An immediate end to the misuse of draconian laws and conspiracy allegations to suppress dissent and democratic activism.
4. Strict adherence to Supreme Court rulings that prohibit the criminalisation of ideology, association, or belief in the absence of violence or incitement.
The Campaign Against State Repression stands in unwavering solidarity with Gade Innaiah and all those resisting state repression, and reiterates its firm commitment to defending **constitutional rights, democratic freedoms, and the rule of law.
Campaign Against State Repression (CASR)
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)
