“This is a human rights violation on the part of the police,” a fuming Rahul Easwar tells TNM after a local court in Ranni on Saturday revoked the bail granted to him. Rahul Easwar, who is the president of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena, was arrested from Pamba on October 17 for protesting when the gates of the Sabarimala temple opened for the first time after the historic verdict of the Supreme Court allowing the entry of women of all ages to the temple. He was later granted bail on October 22 under certain conditions.
As per the bail conditions, Rahul had to report to the Pathanamthitta police station every Saturday. However, on the previous Saturday, which is December 8, he could not appear before the police station, because of which the court revoked his bail, ordering the police to arrest him.
Speaking to TNM, Rahul said that he would approach the Kerala High Court as well as the Human Rights Commission on Monday against this “childish and outrageous act by the police.”
“On December 8, I wasn’t able to report at the police station as I had to go to Delhi for a TV discussion. But I had informed the police station that I would be late. By the time, I had arrived on December 9, the police had told the court that I have violated the bail conditions,” says Rahul Easwar.
“I have followed all the conditions till now except for this one day. The police in the past have shifted one or two days here and there for many people and I was just a few hours late,” Rahul tells TNM. He goes on to add that, “first of all, I have not done any crime. I have been arrested for being part of a social protest. This is clearly a human rights violation.”
Before the gates of the shrine opened on October 17, Rahul had said that the believers would stage a peaceful protest in the premises of the temple, however, on the same day, violent protests erupted as a mob of protesters vandalised vehicles, attacked women journalists and pelted stones at police officials.
Following this, Rahul Easwar was arrested by the Pamba police under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including section 144 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), read with 149 (member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecuting of common object of the assembly), and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public serving from discharge of duty).