Greta Thunberg Toolkit Case : 10 Things Activist Disha Ravi Said In Her Statement

Activist Disha Ravi Statement : The Bengaluru-based activist who was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the ‘toolkit’ case, issued a statement hitting back at the media. The 22-year-old shared her personal experience in the lengthy post shared by her on Twitter. 

Ravi’s arrest triggered an international outcry about the crackdown on dissent in India. On 13 February, she was picked by the police from her Bengaluru home for supporting the ongoing farmers' protest. The climate activist was granted bail 10 days later by a Delhi court.

On Saturday, Disha Ravi shared a statement published where she wrote the details of her custody and called out the news channels.

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

P.S. This is based on my personal experience and does not represent the opinion of any climate movement, group, or organisation. pic.twitter.com/djrieCZcn8

— Disha 𓆉 (@disharavii) March 13, 2021

Here’s what Activist Disha Ravi Statement carries :

-I had coerced myself into believing that the only way I would be able to live through this was by tricking myself into thinking that this wasn't happening to me - the police did not knock on my door on 13 February 2021; they did not take my phone and laptop, and arrest me.

-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. 

-It's no surprise that in the days that followed, my autonomy was violated; my photographs were splashed all over the news; my actions were pronounced guilty - not in the court of law, but on flat screens by seekers of TRPs. 

-In Tihar, I was aware of every second of every minute of every hour of every day. Locked in my cell, I wondered when it became a crime to think the most basic elements of sustenance on this planet were as much mine as theirs.

-I had to bear witness to how the water crisis affected them, but my work was reduced to tree plantation drives and clean-ups which are important but not the same as struggling for survival.

-Climate Justice is about intersectional equity. It is about being radically inclusive of all groups of people, so that everyone has access to clean air, food and water.

-We fight alongside those actively silenced by the masses and portrayed as 'voiceless', because it is easier for savarnas to call them voiceless. We take the easy way out and fund saviourism rather than amplify the voices on ground.

-The immense outpour of love from the people gave me strength. I am grateful for everyone who stood by me. The past few days have been beyond painful, yet I know that I am one of the privileged.

-Ideas do not die. And, truth, no matter how long it takes, always reveals itself.