‘Still fighting for climate justice’: Read Disha Ravi's first statement after release

Weeks after being released on bail from prison, 23-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi has shared her statement about her ordeal, where she describes how her “autonomy was violated” in the aftermath of her arrest in connection with the “toolkit” case.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I&#39;m letting this out into the internet void in order to present a narrative that is my own.<br><br>P.S. This is based on my personal experience and does not represent the opinion of any climate movement, group, or organisation. <a href="https://t.co/djrieCZcn8">pic.twitter.com/djrieCZcn8</a></p>&mdash; Disha 𓆉 (@disharavii) <a href="https://twitter.com/disharavii/status/1370716887907246085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I'm letting this out into the internet void in order to present a narrative that is my own,” Ravi wrote.

In her statement, Ravi describes her disbelief at ending up in jail after the Delhi police arrived at her door in Bengaluru on February 13, took her phone and laptop and flew her to Delhi to a hearing in Patiala House Court.

“As I stood in that courtroom, desperately searching for my lawyers, I came to terms with the fact that I would have to defend myself. I had no idea whether there was legal assistance available so when the judge asked me if I have anything to say, I decided to speak my mind. Before I knew it, I was sent to 5 days in police custody,” she wrote.

The Delhi Commission for Women had sent a notice to the Delhi Police seeking a detailed report on Disha Ravi’s arrest. The police maintain that all procedures were followed and that the law does not differentiate between a 22-year-old or a 50-year-old.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMW_uDmnArb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Disha 𓆉 (@disharavii)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>