While trying to submit following the memo Indian high commission officials refused to accept the it. They were arrogant and violent towards the protesters. English police officer helped protesters to hand over the memo.
-09/11/2015
Memo:
To: Indian High Commissioner – London
From: Parai Voice of Freedom – UK
Date : 09/11/15
Folk singer in India arrested on sedition charges by the Tamil Nadu Jeyalalitha regime!
Kovan, 52, was arrested at his home in Tiruchirappalli district on October 30, 2015, for two songs that criticize the state government for allegedly profiting from state-run liquor shops at the expense of the poor. A law that is repeatedly used to arrest singers, cartoonists, and writers has no place in a democracy!
Kovan is a member of the Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam, or People’s Art and Literary Association, which has long used art, music, and theater to educate marginalized communities and raise issues of corruption, women’s rights, and rights of Dalits (formerly known as “untouchables”). In his recent songs, he blamed the government for choosing revenue from liquor sales over people’s welfare.
Indian central government regime supports the arrest according to its local representative. Despite widespread struggles and demand by all sections of society, the Jayalalithaa government stubbornly refuses to change its liquor policy which has impoverished the working population and degenerated popular culture in Tamil Nadu. Students and activists who fought against TASMAC were arrested and jailed for many weeks.
Now, singer Kovan has been arrested by the police at around 2.30 midnight today (30-10-2015) from his house at Trichy. He is charged under section 124A (sedition), 153 (attempt to create enmity between social groups) and 502/1 (sale any printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter) by the Chennai city crime branch police. A special squad of around 10 policemen swooped into his house, roughed him up and took him into custody. His whereabouts are not known. The local police is also in the dark.
We consider the arrest as a fascist oppression and violence against humanity! We are initiating the demonstration today. We will continue to fight until his release.
We call upon the Indian high commission to take the necessary process for Kovan’s release.
Parai Voice of Freedom
