New Delhi, Aug 29: The All India Defence Committee for Syed Abdul Rehman Geelani, an accused in the December 13 attack on parliament, today alleged his rights had been violated and demanded a fair trial for him.
Alleging torture of Geelani by police, Magsaysay award winner and social activist Aruna Roy said this was violation of citizen's rights in a democracy.
She said the law should not discriminate among people. And urged soociety to work cohesively and coherently in defence of democratic rights of the citizens of the country.
Arundhati Roy, author-activist, in a statement, demanded a fair trial for Geelani. The booker prize winner said if the Delhi University lecturer was not given a just hearing, democracy would be undermined.

Noted scholar and civil rights activist Rajni Kothari, describing Geelani as the "leading mind" of Kashmir, said the issue was a matter concerning a person's human rights.
Urging de-construction of myths about Islam, Kashmir and "terrorism", Syeda Hamid said she had sympathy for Geelani, a fellow Kashmiri, and supported the demand for a fair trial for him.

Bureau Report