'Theatre of the absurd': Political parties across spectrum condemn Disha Ravi's arrest

The arrest of 22-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi from Bengaluru, in connection with the farmer protests 'toolkit' publicised by climate activist Greta Thunberg, has resulted in outpouring of condemnation from political figures domestically and across the globe.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmers' unions, condemned the arrest. The SKM said she "stood in support of the farmers". "We demand her immediate unconditional release," the organisation said in the statement.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted: "Disha Ravi's arrest is the latest escalation in India’s crackdown on free expression and political dissent, as it seeks to stifle the farmers’ mass protests, says Daily Telegraph⁩ UK. Doesn’t GoI care about the damage it is doing to its own global image?"

Tamil actor Siddharth expressed solidarity with the arrested activist. "Standing unconditionally in solidarity and support with #DishaRavi. I'm so sorry this happened to you sister. We are all with you. Stay strong. This injustice too shall pass," he said. 

Shiv Sena spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi stated: "Some serious charges applied against a 21-year-old for sharing a ‘dangerous' toolkit. As per BJP, our nation is so weak that a written document about farmer agitation shared by an international celebrity will lead to its ‘breakup’. The nation is much stronger than this toolkit, BJP."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav wrote on social media: "The question is when will those be arrested who keep issuing literal 'toolkits' to break the national and social unity of India in the morning and evening, giving rise to hatred and division among the masses. The BJP government should say why they do not take action on these 'toolkit survivors' even after complaining?"

Former finance minister Chidambaram tweeted: "A 'toolkit' to support the farmers’ protest is more dangerous than the intrusion by Chinese troops into Indian territory! India is becoming the theatre of the absurd and it is sad that the Delhi Police has become a tool of the oppressors. I strongly condemn the arrest of Disha Ravi and urge all students and youth to raise their voices to protest against the authoritarian regime."

Former Union minister Jairam Ramesh tweeted: "Completely atrocious! This is unwarranted harassment and intimidation. I express my full solidarity with Disha Ravi."

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury condemned the arrest. "Modi regime thinks by arresting a granddaughter of farmers, under sedition, it can weaken the farmers’ struggles. In fact, it will awaken the youth of the country and strengthen the struggles for democracy," he said.

US Vice President Kamala Harris's niece Meena Harris tweeted: "Indian officials have arrested another young female activist, 21-year-old Disha Ravi, because she posted a social media toolkit on how to support the farmers' protests. Read this thread about the sequence of events and ask why activists are being targeted and silenced by the government."

Ravi was arrested from Bengaluru by a Cyber Cell team of the Delhi Police on Saturday for allegedly sharing with Thunberg the "toolkit" related to the farmer's protest against the Centre's three agri laws.

The police claimed Ravi was an editor of the "toolkit Google doc" and a "key conspirator" in the document's formulation and dissemination. She and others "collaborated with pro-Khalistani Poetic Justice Foundation to spread disaffection against the Indian state", police alleged.