Greta Thunberg comes out in support of Disha Ravi; says freedom to protest is 'non-negotiable'

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has come out in support of Disha Ravi, arrested for allegedly being involved in sharing a "toolkit" on social media related to the farmers' protest, saying freedom of speech and right to peaceful protest are non-negotiable human rights.

Taking to Twitter, the young activist said, " Freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest and assembly are non-negotiable human rights. These must be a fundamental part of any democracy. She added the hashtag #StandWithDishaRavi with the tweet.

A Delhi court on Friday sent Ravi to three-day judicial custody after Delhi Police produced her before the court on expiry of her five-day custodial interrogation. Police said Ravi was evasive during her previous interrogation and tried to shift blame on the co-accused.

While seeking her custody, the police had told the court that the activist had allegedly edited the "toolkit" on February 3 and many other people were involved in the matter.

A "toolkit" is a document created to explain any issue. It also provides information on what one needs to do to address the issue. This might include information about petitions, details about protests and mass movements. The "toolkit" was aimed at spreading disaffection and ill-will against the government of India and creating disharmony among various social, religious and cultural groups, the police had claimed.

Last Sunday the court had sent Ravi to five-day police custody after it said her custodial interrogation was required to probe an alleged larger conspiracy against the government of India and to ascertain her alleged role relating to the Khalistan movement.

Ravi, a graduate in Bachelor of Business Administration from a private college in Bengaluru, is also one of the founding members of a group called 'Fridays For Future India'. In a tweet, the group said, "Disha has been an integral part of this movement. Not only has she been voicing out environment concerns in India but strived for the equality and representation of the country's most affected and marginalized groups in the global climate movement's narrative."

"As fellow volunteers we wouldn't stand back to say that she is one of the finest amongst us all. If there is one thing her activism has taught us, it is to raise our voices peacefully and respectfully for those at stake, to ensure justice for everyone," another tweet from the forum read.

—With PTI inputs