Jyoti Punwani writes on human rights issues. You can e-mail the author at jyoti.punwani@gmail.com
'Shoma didn't have the luxury of time. She was already suffering from so many ailments.'
'I was laughing and crying at the same time. Right now, just extremely happy that she will be out and amongst us soon.'
'Those giving voice to the voiceless should be welcomed, not punished.' 'Yes, I paid a price -- 10 years in jail -- but it wasn't only me who did so. There are many paying the price.'
'I don't know if he put up a front but he never let me feel his morale was down. He told me how he was tackling the problems he was facing, or if there was some way the lawyers could help, but he would always tell me not to worry with a big broad smile.'
'When there was no crime committed, everything had to be fabricated. They see it as a war, and everything is fair in love and war.'
'We were sure our appeal would succeed. We knew we could break down the evidence and show it was hollow.'
Despite being 90% handicapped, suffering from multiple ailments and dependent on a wheelchair, the former Delhi University professor has not been able to step out of the anda cell of the Nagpur Jail at all since his conviction.
The Opposition's stand on the Ayodhya consecration is puzzling. Their only objection seems to be that the BJP has hijacked a religious event for political benefit. In saying this, the Opposition is either being naive or hypocritical, argues Jyoti Punwani.
'I see this judgment as a chance to say 'Boo' to the dark. But we shouldn't lose sight of the larger darkness that we have to keep fighting in everyday ways.'
'I learnt today that Bilkis Bano had to change her house after these people were released as some of them lived in her vicinity.' 'This was an injustice to her, she had to do this under duress.'
'What did these men mean to the government? What does its support for these men say about this government?'
'Today, the BJP is using power in such a manner that they not only crush the Opposition, but even their own supporters can't rebel.'
'The BJP is trying to change this mantra.'
'How was it possible for Singh to have got a government job, and that too one involving the handling of guns, had he been insane?'
The entire operation was meant to have a chilling effect on independent journalists, those not completely subservient to the regime, the small section still doing what the Fourth Estate should do -- raising questions to those in power.
'How can a journalist be accused of terrorism when there is no overt act of terror committed?'
'This action sends out a very nasty message in a very strong way -- that nobody is exempt.' 'It is also an attempt to extend the definition of who is an anti-national, who's a terrorist, a definition that's becoming looser under this regime.' 'The sad part is that by the time the courts acquit those arrested, they would've spent years in jail and been taught a lesson.'
If an extension is granted, the Commission's next hearing will be a long one: From October 16-28, so as to complete the cross-examination of all remaining witnesses.
'Now they're talking about changing the Constitution; they feel they have no reason now to hide their intentions.'
'People understand Hitlershahi, tanashahi and now Modishahi.'
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