Over 30 Organisations Condemn Arrest of Dalit Activist Advocate Rajat Kalsan

New Delhi – More than 30 student groups, civil society organisations, and prominent individuals have issued a joint statement condemning the arrest of Dalit activist and lawyer Adv. Rajat Kalsan, who was allegedly abducted by men in plain clothes from the Auto Market in Hisar on July 30 without being shown an arrest warrant or legal documents.

According to the statement, the arrest was linked to a case concerning the murder of a woman in Budana village, Hisar. Rajat Kalsan, who had been representing a survivor of caste atrocity and sexual assault, was accused of circulating a video alleging corruption in the investigation. Although he secured interim bail in the matter, he was subsequently booked in another case for allegedly obstructing police officials.

The statement alleges that while in custody, Kalsan was denied access to his lawyers and family, subjected to torture, and faced casteist abuse. It also claims that his house had been raided multiple times in the past month, his movements kept under surveillance for a year, and his social media account blocked by the Haryana police.

Kalsan has been booked under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 121(1), 132, 196, 62, 49, 115, 126, 353(1), 353(2), 356(2), 352, 351(3), and 3.5. The signatories note that some of these offences are non-bailable and carry punishments ranging from two to ten years of imprisonment, fines, or both. They allege that these charges have been “strategically framed” to ensure his prolonged incarceration.

Long-standing Activism

The statement highlights Kalsan’s role in pursuing cases of caste atrocities in Haryana, including the Mirchpur violence, Hisar gang rape, Daulatpur assault, and Bhatla social boycott incidents. He also took part in mobilisations against the 2018 dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which, the groups argue, made Dalits and marginalised communities more vulnerable to caste violence.

According to the signatories, his consistent work for Dalit rights has made him a target of state repression.

Broader Context of Repression

Drawing parallels with the Bhima Koregaon arrests and detentions during anti-CAA protests, the statement alleges that Kalsan’s arrest reflects a broader pattern of silencing voices that challenge caste domination, communalism, and authoritarianism.

“This is not an isolated instance, but part of a growing trend of state repression against those who challenge communal hatred, caste oppression, and fascist rule,” the statement reads.

Demand for Immediate Release

The joint statement calls for the withdrawal of all charges against Adv. Rajat Kalsan and urges solidarity with others incarcerated for “resisting injustice.”

Signatories

Among the 35 organisations endorsing the statement are the All India Students Association (AISA), JNU Students’ Union, Students Federation of India (SFI), Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students' Association (BAPSA), and Fraternity Movement.

Notable individual signatories include Prof. Achin Vanaik, Adv. Sudha Bharadwaj, Dr. Anand Teltumbde, and Women’s rights activist Kalyani Menon Sen.