Activists to launch Gujarat-wide stir to protest Bhatt's arrest

Various civil society groups on Wednesday gathered in support of the arrested IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt, and alleged that the Narendra Modi government was trying to create atmosphere of fear by suppressing those who speak the truth.

The activists also announced a Gujarat-wide agitation against "undemocratic" and "dictatorial" attitude of the state government.

"There is an emergency-like situation in Gujarat. And if we do not raise our voice, the situation will be worse," said veteran Gandhian Chunni Vaidya.

He condemned Bhatt's arrest and termed government's action as dictatorial. "I am 95 years old now, I had thought of retiring from public life, but now I have second thoughts....There is a situation of undeclared emergency in Gujarat where anybody can be put in jail for speaking against the government," he said.

He appealed to the people to come out on the streets and tell Modi that his undemocratic and dictatorial style would not work any longer.

Convener of Movement For Secular Democracy, Dwarikanath Rath, said Modi government was frightened of the truth coming out, and therefore trying to intimidate witnesses such as Bhatt, and sending out a message that those who cross government's path would face dire consequences.