TL;DR: After spending over six years behind bars, activists Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale have been granted bail by the Bombay High Court in the Elgar Parishad case. Their release highlights concerns about the misuse of legal provisions against activists and the prolonged detention without trial.
Hey folks! 🌟 We've got some major news that's buzzing all over. Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale, two activists who were locked up for more than six years in the Elgar Parishad case, have finally been granted bail by the Bombay High Court. Let's dive into the deets! 🕵️♀️
Who Are They? 🤔
Rona Wilson: A dedicated activist and member of the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners. He was nabbed in June 2018, accused of having ties with banned organizations and allegedly plotting against the government.
Sudhir Dhawale: A fiery Dalit rights activist, writer, and editor of the Marathi magazine 'Vidrohi'. He was also arrested in June 2018, with claims linking him to the Elgar Parishad event and subsequent violence.
What's the Elgar Parishad Case? 🕵️♂️
Back in December 2017, a big event called Elgar Parishad was held in Pune to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon. The next day, violence erupted, and several activists, including Wilson and Dhawale, were blamed for inciting it. They were slapped with serious charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Long Wait for Justice ⏳
Both Wilson and Dhawale have been in jail since mid-2018. Despite multiple bail pleas, they remained incarcerated, raising eyebrows about the prolonged detention of activists without concrete evidence. Their supporters have been vocal, arguing that the charges were trumped-up to stifle dissent.
Bombay High Court's Decision ⚖️
On January 10, 2025, the Bombay High Court granted bail to both activists. The court noted the extended period of their detention without trial and the lack of substantial evidence to keep them behind bars. This move is seen as a significant step towards upholding civil liberties and questioning the misuse of stringent laws against activists.
What's Next? 🚀
With their release, there's a renewed call to re-examine the cases against other activists arrested in connection with the Elgar Parishad event. Many are urging the judiciary to expedite hearings and ensure that justice is served without unnecessary delays.
Join the Conversation! 🗣️
What are your thoughts on this development? Do you think the legal system is fair to activists and dissenters? Drop your comments below and let's chat! 💬👇
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