Censorship

Mr. Nitesh Alawa is a human rights defender who works as a patwari (revenue officer) in Alirajpur district in Madhya Pradesh. He has been active in the fight for rights of Adivasis in the region and has in the past raised his voice against atrocities committed against the communities.

He was suspended for participating in a protest against the brutal attack on an adivasi woman in Guna district in Madhya Pradesh, who was burnt alive by men in the middle of a field. The protest was peaceful and did not involve any speeches calling for violence and only demanded justice for victims of a heinous crime. There have been no reports to suggest that peace was disturbed as a result of the peaceful citizen’s protests. Mr. Alawa had also formally taken leave, which had been approved by his seniors.

Despite this he was served a show cause notice and was subsequently suspended on August 25, 2022.