India – CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE TARGETING OF THE ACTIVIST MANJEET
We hereby share a statement issued by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) today, 15th of July.
CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE TARGETING OF LABOUR RIGHTS ACTIVIST MANJEET BY THE NIA
STOP WITCH-HUNTING AND INTIMIDATION OF ACTIVISTS!
WE DEMAND THE QUASHING OF BOGUS FIR NO. RC-01/2023/NIA/LUCKNOW, WHICH IS BEING USED TO TARGET LABOUR RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, STUDENTS, AND DEMOCRATIC VOICES ACROSS NORTHERN INDIA !
The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemns the issuance of an NIA notice to Manjeet, a labour rights activist associated with the Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan (MAS) and based in the Kundli industrial area of Sonipat, Haryana, in connection with the Lucknow Conspiracy Case (RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow).
The targeting of Manjeet is not an isolated incident but part of a systematic campaign to criminalise labour rights activists, student organisers, advocates, and democratic voices working among workers, peasants, Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalised communities. The Lucknow Conspiracy Case has increasingly become a tool for intimidation and political persecution rather than a genuine criminal investigation.
The Lucknow Conspiracy Case: A Tool to Crush Democratic Dissent
Over the past several years, the NIA has expanded the scope of this fabricated conspiracy case to target activists across Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and other northern states. Similar to the Bhima Koregaon case, sweeping allegations of conspiracy and extremist links are being used to justify surveillance, arrests, prolonged investigations, and harassment without transparent or credible evidence.
The earlier arrests of Priyanshu Kashyap, Advocate Ajay Singhal, and documentary filmmaker Vishal Singh in connection with this case demonstrate a clear pattern of using anti-terror laws to suppress democratic movements. The issuance of a notice to Manjeet further exposes the continuing attempt to silence labour organising in the industrial belts of North India.
Systematic Targeting of Labour Rights Activists
Manjeet has been actively associated with the Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, organising workers in the Kundli industrial area of Haryana, where thousands of industrial workers continue to struggle for better wages, safe working conditions, and labour rights.
The repeated targeting of organisers from this region reveals a deliberate strategy to weaken workers’ movements by branding labour activists as conspirators or extremists. Instead of addressing workers’ grievances, investigative agencies are being used to intimidate those who stand with the working class.
Illegal Abduction, Torture, and Continued Harassment
The latest NIA notice must also be seen in the context of the illegal detention and torture that Manjeet was subjected to earlier this year.
In March 2026, during the widespread crackdown in which ten activists were abducted, Manjeet was illegally picked up by the Delhi Police Special Cell and taken into unlawful custody. During this illegal detention, he was interrogated and subjected to torture. Officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) were also involved in his interrogation during this period.
Instead of investigating these grave violations of constitutional and human rights, the authorities have now escalated their harassment by issuing another notice under the Lucknow Conspiracy Case. This reflects a disturbing pattern in which victims of illegal detention and custodial abuse continue to face further persecution while those responsible enjoy complete impunity.
A Broader Assault on Democratic Rights
The continued use of the Lucknow Conspiracy Case against labour organisers demonstrates the increasing misuse of investigative agencies and draconian laws to suppress democratic dissent.
Labour unions, student organisations, human rights defenders, and democratic activists are increasingly being subjected to surveillance, illegal detention, custodial violence, fabricated conspiracy allegations, and prolonged legal harassment. Such actions undermine constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, association, and peaceful protest, while creating an atmosphere of fear among those working for social justice.
Our Demands
– Immediately withdraw the NIA notice issued to Manjeet .
– Quash FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow, which is being misused to target democratic activists.
– Immediately release all activists arrested or detained in connection with this fabricated case.
– Conduct an independent investigation into the illegal abduction, custodial torture, and unlawful detention of Manjeet and other activists detained during the March 2026 crackdown.
– Hold accountable all officials involved in illegal detention, torture, and custodial abuse.
– End the criminalisation of labour movements, student organisations, and democratic dissent.
– Protect the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, association, and peaceful protest.
CASR stands in unwavering solidarity with Manjeet and all activists facing repression under the guise of conspiracy investigations and counter-terror laws.
We call upon democratic rights organisations, trade unions, student groups, civil liberties organisations, and all concerned citizens to unite against this systematic witch-hunting of labour rights defenders and democratic activists, and to defend the constitutional values of justice, equality, dignity, and democracy.
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 Movement, 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, Samajwadi Lok Manch, Bahujan Samajwadi Manch, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)
