Hundreds protest in Bhopal against Binayak Sen’s conviction

BHOPAL - Hundreds of people belonging to at least nine organisations held a rally here Saturday to protest against the life imprisonment verdict awarded to rights activist and doctor Binayak Sen.

The protestors marched to Nilam Park from Yadgare Shahjani Park, shouting slogans against the sentence.

“If Binayak Sen, who has worked in remote areas of the country and fought for the causes of downtrodden, can get convicted it means no activist is safe in the present situation. We should fight till he gets justice,” said Abdul Jabbar, a social worker.

The protestors said they will hold rallies in most districts of Madhya Pradesh on Martyrs’ Day Jan 30, observed in memory of Mahatama Gandhi’s assassination.

Along with his work for tribals in Chhattisgarh, Sen had also fought for the Bhopal gas tragedy victims.

A large number of gas survivors and activists also participated in the rally.

A Raipur court Dec 24 sentenced Sen to life imprisonment for sedition and links with outlawed Maoists.