The following is a statement issued by concerned citizens, activists and organizations

We condemn the shocking assault, humiliation and harassment of human rights Activist Zainab Siddiqui’s family by Uttar Pradesh Police in Lucknow on 5th November. This targeting of grassroots Activists is a new way of curbing voices of dissent and must be strongly resisted.  
Zainab Siddiqui, an Activist based in Lucknow, has been working extensively at grass root level on Women & human rights issues. She is part of Bebaak Collective. As a young Activist she enthusiastically participated in demonstrations against CAA/NRC/NPR.
On 5 November 2020, UP Police visited Zainab’s residence asking her parents whether she was part of Anti CAA/NRC/NPR agitations. Her Parents responded by saying that she has worked with grass roots organizations. At 8:00 pm, Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) & Uttar Pradesh Police barged into Zainab’s house without any due process of law and took Zainab’s father into custody. They also took Zainab’s Brother into their custody who studies in Std 10 and is 16 years old. The police assaulted & abused Zainab’s Mother and younger sisters who were in the house and snatched away their phones.
The Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) & Uttar Pradesh Police were unwilling to co-operate. Even after requesting repeatedly, they refused to provide arrest warrant. Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) & Uttar Pradesh Police then took Zainab’s Father and 16 year old brother to Sarojini Nagar Police Station, Lucknow. The younger brother of Zainab, a juvenile was beaten by the U.P Police and kept in custody for a night. Zainab has also received threats from Uttar Pradesh Police. 
We condemn this act of terrorizing people around her locality. We condemn the barbarous violence that Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) & Uttar Pradesh Police has subjected Zainab & her family. It is a matter of utmost shame that human rights defender and their families are being attacked while those who commit acts of violence and promote social enmity roam free. 
We are also concerned that in the past one year Uttar Pradesh Police has been systematically targeting Activists who are associated with Anti CAA-NRC-NPR protests which are inimical for the functioning of democracy in this country.
We appeal to human rights Activists & organizations to endorse this appeal in solidarity with Zainab & her family and condemn despotic action of Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Uttar Pradesh Police.

Endorsements from Organizations and Activists:-
Kavita Srivastava – PUCL

Uma Chakravarti – Historian

Kamla Bhasin – Feminist Activist

Hasina Khan – Bebaak Collective

Teesta Setalvad –Writer and Human Rights Defender

Brinelle D’souza – Academic & Activitst

Chayanika Shah – LABIA

Meera Sanghmitra – National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)

Parwaaj – Ahmedabad

Abha Bhajiya – Women Activist

Sheba Chhachi – Artist, New Delhi

Ujjawala Mahatre – Gender Activist

Geeta Seshu – Journalist and Human rights defender

Amrita Howlader – Feminist Activist, Kolkata

Masooma Ranalvi – Activist

Arundhati Dhuru – National Alliance for Peoples Movements

Anupama P – Hyderabad

Hozefa Ujjaini – Cultural and Human rights Activist

Shiraz Prabhu – environmental and Women Activist

Parmar Vijay – Human Rights Activist

Aruna Burte – Concerned citizen, Pune.

Biraj Mehta – Academican

Irfan Engineer – Human Rights Activist

Gayatri Singh – Laywer and human rights defender

Sabah Khan – Women Activist

Johanna Lokhande – Human rights Activist

Anuradha Kapoor– Kolkata, Feminist Activist

Monisha Behal – Women rights Activist

Nisha Biswas – Women Activist

Vandana Kulkarni – Women Activist

Anu – Samanvaya

Dr Mira Shiva – Public Health Physician

Sadhna Arya – University of Delhi

Sujata – Feminist Activist and Researcher, Mumbai

Amarjit Singh – Activist

Rohini Hensman, Writer and Researcher

Sandhya Phadke – Academician

Virginia Saldanha – Women Activist

Lara Jesani – Lawyer, Mumbai

Vani Subramanian – Independent filmmaker, New Delhi

Shewli Kumar – Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Neha Dabhade –    Activist and Researcher

Kamal Thakar – Gender Activist

Reshma Vohra – Gender Activist, Gujarat

Kamayni Mahabal – Human Rights Activist, Mumbai

Shadaab Jahan – Gender Activist, Muzaffarnar

Afroza Jahan – Women Activist

Mamta Singh – Women Activist, Lucknow

Richa Rastogi – Women Activist, Lucknow

Archana Singh – Women Activist

Ritwik Das – Activist

Dimple Oberoi Vahali

Vinita Bal – Scientist and Activist

Mary John – Academician

Asma Rasheed – Academician, Hyderabad

Lakshmi Krishnamurty – Alarippu

Rakhi Sehgal, Labor Researcher & Activist, New Delhi

Pyoli Swatija – Lawyer and Activist- Delhi

Sujata Ghotoskar, Feminist Activist and Researcher, Mumbai Gabriele Dietrich – Feminist Activist and Researcher

Rita Manchanda – Feminist Activist

Sharmila – IIT Bombay

Lara Keswani– Lawyer, Mumbai

Ranu

Anisha

Shals Mahajan

Indian Women Theologians’ Forum

Saheli Women’s Resource Center, New Delhi

LABIA – A QUEER FEMINIST LBT COLLECTIVE