India- CASR: WE DON’T WANT ANOTHER POLITICAL PRISONER MURDERED BY THE INDIAN STATE

We hereby share a press statement issued by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR).

CASR DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF FORMER PFI CHAIRMAN E. ABUBACKER ON MEDICAL GROUNDS

The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) expresses grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating health condition of senior Muslim leader, retired school teacher, journalist and activist E. Abubacker, who has been incarcerated as an undertrial political prisoner for the past 3 years and 6 months under the draconian UAPA. Despite his extremely fragile health condition, he continues to remain in custody, raising serious humanitarian concerns.

E. Abubacker, aged 72, is suffering from multiple severe health ailments. His condition has worsened in recent days as he is reportedly suffering from a serious chest infection accompanied by severe cough, along with dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Reports also indicate that his blood oxygen levels have dropped, further raising concerns about his overall health condition.
Due to these alarming complications, jail authorities recently admitted him to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in New Delhi for treatment. However, the continued incarceration of a critically ill elderly prisoner despite such grave medical conditions reflects the shocking negligence of authorities towards the health and dignity of political prisoners.

Abubacker has long been battling multiple chronic illnesses. He suffers from Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and severe loss of vision. Earlier, he was diagnosed with a rare malignant cancer—gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, for which he underwent chemotherapy and surgery in 2020. His fragile condition requires constant medical supervision and assistance even for basic daily activities.The continued incarceration of E. Abubacker reminds us of the tragic custodial deaths of several political prisoners who were effectively murdered through deliberate denial of proper medical treatment during incarceration.

We cannot forget how Father Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old Adivasi rights defender, died in judicial custody after repeatedly being denied adequate medical care. Pandu Narote, a young Adivasi prisoner, died after authorities failed to provide timely treatment when he became critically ill. Prof. G.N. Saibaba, who was severely disabled, was forced to struggle for basic medical facilities throughout his imprisonment. Kanchan Nanaware also died after prolonged denial of proper medical treatment while incarcerated.These deaths reveal a disturbing pattern where political prisoners are slowly pushed towards death through systematic neglect and denial of medical care.

CASR warns that the continued incarceration of E. Abubacker in such a critical medical condition risks repeating the same tragic history. If society remains silent today, another political prisoner may be murdered through custodial neglect.
If we truly want to prevent another political prisoner being murdered by the Indian state, it is necessary for democratic voices across the country to raise their voices immediately.

The Campaign Against State Repression therefore calls upon civil liberties organisations, democratic rights groups, human rights defenders, lawyers, intellectuals and concerned citizens to come together and raise a strong voice demanding justice and humanitarian relief. If we have learned anything from the deaths of Stan Swamy, Pandu Narote, G.N. Saibaba and Kanchan Nanaware, it is that silence allows such custodial deaths to continue. We must act now to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

CASR DEMANDS:

1. Immediate release of E. Abubacker on humanitarian and medical grounds.
2. Proper medical treatment without delay.
3. Protection of the right to life and dignity of all political prisoners.

Campaign Against State Repression (CASR)
Organising Team

(AIRSO, 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, Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Samajwadi Lok Manch, Bahujan Samajwadi Manch, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)